The difference a month makes!

Well, it's been a whole month since I earned myself 3 stitches and a huge busted elbow. I cannot believe it's been a month, time is flying by way too fast. I've healed amazingly well and all that is left (besides my new scar) is one tiny scab where a stitch was. So all in all amazing progress.

I have also gotten back on the bike twice. I will admit, the first few days after the fall I was pretty down on myself for falling off my bike. I felt stupid for being 22 and taking a major spill. Yes, I know, I was saving a child from being run over (probably would have fallen anyway then, now that I think about it....), but I felt childish and as though I wasn't as good a bike rider as I felt before.

So on July 4th, two weeks after the incident I decided it was high time to get back on the horse bike. I was definitely cautious but it fell good to be riding again. Then yesterday I felt more comfortable and went on a different trail that has sections where the path is gravel or loose dirt. That really made my confidence soar.

So, it feels good to be back on the bike, it feels good to no longer have an ugly looking elbow, although I miss one of my campers insisting that I had broken my elbow!

One month ago!

Today! *no it's not the other arm, I just took this picture in the mirror and mom took the "before" one!*

The Zayda that Lived

Zayda's english yartzheit is around the corner and his hebrew yarzheit was a week ago. I guess it is fitting for me to be formulating my thoughts around now.

Yesterday, I really thought about Zayda, and how one day of his life reminded me about Harry Potter. Like Harry, my Zayda should have died one day, but he didn't. He lived on.

50 years ago on July 14th my Zayda almost died, but he miraculously lived. He was burned almost over all of his body in a horrific propane accident. However, he fought an amazing fight and lived.

Now, 50 years later, after an entire year without my Zayda, I realize how lucky I am he was a fighter. I easily could have never met my Zayda, but he lived. It makes me realize that, while I still miss him day in and day out, that I am beyond blessed with a Zayda who had the will to live.

Yesterday, during a rough and hectic day at camp, I kept thinking about Zayda, and how he fought harder and fought the best fight he could. Even though I felt like my campers were winning, which at times they may have been, I kept holding on and thinking that Zayda would have been able to fight on.

So Zayda, thank you for fighting. Thank you for fighting on for Bubbe, and Mom, and Uncle Lou and eventually Avi and me. You truly left a huge imprint on my life and your fighting spirit is such a part of that.

To Arthur Benjamin, the Zayda that lived.

Things My Campers Say 2

They honestly keep getting cuter...

S: J! There is a famous guy, named Jake!

J: Ok, so?

T: Why are all my counselors' moms and dads in their 50s?

Me: Because we're old.

T: You're not old, you're young!

(LOVE this kid!)

E.F: I have no more smiles left for pictures...

Alec: Does that mean you're not happy?

E.F: Of course I'm happy!

One of our little guys can test limits with listening to directions, but this shows he hears me loud and clear!

E.K: (while organizing a duck, duck, goose game) I only choose quiet boys! (which we say to them all the time!)

W: Know I'm really in love I have a read heart bead!

um, melt my heat!

Alec: E.K and W are under the table together... okay, that sounded really wrong.

J calls the ABCs the ABCDs.

Erica (the Asst. Director describing how counselors should look when carrying banners on banner day) You know those people who work at Disney World? You know how they have their eyes glued open and act like they are on crack? Act like that. Yes, I said crack.

T: (when in music and telling the music specialist how many strings are on the ukulele) *shouts* 4! (he is showing 5 fingers though!)

One adorable little guy learned how the sign language for the song Shalom Chaverim in nursery school. Whenever he hears it in music he immediately begins doing the signs, it melts my heart!

D: I cannot find my bathing suit, I cannot find my bathing suit!

Me: D, you're holding it.

D: Oh.

E.K: I need to tell you something!

Me: Yes, E.K.

E.K: When is lunch?

Me: E.K, that's a question.

E.K: Oh, I have to ask you something!

One little guy tends to get so absorbed in our avtivities he forgets his name. One day I called him over and he didn't move he instead shouted: "S.W, Tamar wants you!!!" Yes sweetheart, that's you!

Cannot believe how their minds work!

Has it really been 3 years?

Wow, I cannot believe its been 3 years.

3 years ago mom, Sivi, and I arrived in NY with a very full car to start our new adventure in NY. These three years have been filled with good, bad, happy, and sad. Time is flying and we are beginning to feel like New Yorkers more and more (don't worry, there is still South Jersey running deep within me!)

So to celebrate our third NY anniversary I have some reasons why Westchester is the best! These were featured in the Westchester Magazine's top 100 (or something like that) reasons why Westchester rocks.

4. "Because we're not New Jersey or Long Island"

-- I cannot speak for LI since I have not been out past LGA, but NJ, really, Westchester has so much, like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, our CSA, and more!

12. "Because someday, I-287 will be completed"

-- um yeah, when pigs fly. I-287 has been under construction since before we moved here, ad that to our three years here, and I seen no end in sight, or progress for that matter. BUT consistency is good and they are making it look like our tax dollars work!!

49. "Because there's not a single Olive Garden in the entire county"

-- HA! For real, google it, yellow page it, but it's true! That doesn't explain why we have the commercials playing all the time, but whatever. And for what it's worth there is no Sonic here either!

So Westchester, it's been fun. I never thought I could go from small town girl to big town metro area person, but I survived!

It seems that it should be more than three years, I feel like I have changed for the good in so many ways. I came to NY as a college kid but I live here now as a college graduate and adult!

Here's to another year!!