It would have been enough…

Dayenu is a traditional Passover song that lists all the blessings that would have been sufficient. The celebrators chant it faster and faster as they list many  blessings piled up on one another.

The Great Disruption and The Spirit Level are 2 books I’ve read recently that help me make sense of the financial crises, looming ecologic crisis, and large protests in the US and Europe. It all makes sense if you consider that infinite growth of anything is impossible in a finite world. Exponentially growing riches for the top 1% can’t be good for a growing 99%. And propelling a 2 ton truck or SUV in order to carry  a lightweight person (relative to the vehicle) can’t be an intelligent use of precious energy. But these enraging facts of life are spelling their own demise.  Water shortages, climate refugees and tropical diseases like Dengue Fever and Cholera in the US will be among the crises that will eventually change our ways. And when we finally realize that Adam Smith was right and the economay can’t grow forever, then we’ll get on with living life instead of spending decades chasing money.

So, as depressed as you may be from reading my inadequate summaries of these prescient books, they’ve lightened my outlook considerably. And that would have been enough.

But there’s more. The Spirit Level brought my brother-in-law Greg so clearly into my understanding that I asked my dear sister if I couldn’t please speak to him.  She said NO. She was initiating her very own divorce from her husband of 13 years and I could just butt out. But telepathically, he must have heard my pleas and we spoke and spoke the very next day. I told Judy that I only wish my fictional characters could be half as convincing about their love as he was. She was uncharacteristically silent long enough for me to clip my nails.

As I write, Greg has a job, he’s reconciled with my mother, and Judy, has updated her facebook status to MARRIED to Greg!  I still haven ‘t heard a word from Judy but hopefully, she’s enjoying the fact that Greg has become a laundry master,  masseur,  chef, and income earner in addition to his usual role as Excellent Father to Zachary and Sierra.

So, who could want anything more?  Yet…. I had the privilege of treating a 75 year old Mongolian fighting to grab the best American medicine has to offer before returning home. ( I explained that he’s safer at home where there are no cars or urologists). Then I diagnosed pneumonia in my exciting European friend who speaks fluent Chinese, and address multiple issues with French teenagers and their mom while we were laughing and talking so much that  my VERY FAVORITE PATIENT, waiting in the waiting room thought it was a party.

But that’s not even all! A swim partner took to land long enough to play the Brahms cello sonata with me. (It actually DOES sound better with both parts!), I enjoyed SUPER FAST pickleballs with James, Vince, Noel, and David, had a great time talking to Chris and Adrian,  and celebrated Kurt’s 85th birthday with everyone else.

But even that isn’t nearly all. Summer’s been invited to go to Princeton for an official visit by their track coach. Iris will meet me, Eric, and Summer at Newark Airport Dec 8th.

Happily it goes on and on and on…I love my new book club, Thanksgiving was the best ever (Carol, Mer, Andy, Emily, Lauren, Summer, Eric and me) and we had recent visits from Dick and Karen and before that, RINOOOOOOSH, AND we’re all meeting in Arizona for Xmas.

…And progress with Greg unleashed a beautiful loving email from Rafi to Greg…

…and after hiking 8 miles with the oldest woman ever to summit Mt. Rainier (Bronka Sendstrom) a bunch of us crashed in her house. Then she sends ME a thank you for washing dishes and leaving her some fresh beets!  She’s 86 years old.

…and I’ve played TONS of scrabble lately.

Summer sang Xmas carols with me and the piano…

Day dayenu…daydayenu….daydayenu …dayenu dayenU!

tomorrow….I’ll probably mope around all day but that’s OK.