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It seems that my 21,000 hit childhood question was the easiest so far for you to answer. I got 13 responses so far! And they are all great!

Comment #12, from Anonymous, asked where I’ve been, so I thought I’d answer…

I’m going through what Israelis call “Lachatz.”

NOTE: I am not writing this so I’ll get a lot of calls, although I do appreciate when my friends and family call to commiserate or check-in. I really do.

Lachatz means stress or pressure.

I’m feeling stress from the pressure of everything going on in my life.

There are those close to me who would say, “How can you complain? You have a husband who loves you, great kids, a job you love, you’re building a house in Israel, basic health, loyal friends, what more do you need?”

And my answer to them right now would be, “I just need to complain right now. I don’t need perspective. I don’t need the big picture or the reality check or the long term positive. I just need to complain.
Thank you very much!”

So here’s the list (which you can just skip over if you want to):

Brother Matt just called to tell me he is moving to South Africa indefinitely, leaving me in Israel without any family. (Except my newfound cousin Diana, who I’m going to have to make more of an effort to be in touch with!) I’m very sad. I’m feeling a great loss.

The house is making me crazy! I hate making decisions – mostly alone. It’s not just my house. I can’t take the pressure. And I don’t want to care whether or not the room is too small or too big. Or whether or not I’ll be able to walk by the desk or whether there will be room for a second microwave.

Picking out granite? Forget it!

The money it is costing us – it makes me nauseous.

Starting new therapy ventures is stressful. People don’t sign up or call or express interest.

My teenagers are bickering all the time. They are rude and uncooperative. They are mean to each other and take very little initiative around the house. They think only of themselves and what they want. (I know they sound normal)

Ely is starting to say “no” more. She is spoiled and refuses to do things on her own.

Ari…

I have no time to see friends.

Shabbat has become more difficult to prepare for and have guests. I don’t go to shul anymore and I feel guilty about it – that’s stressful enough – my own guilt.

I sound petty and ungrateful.

I’m going to post this even though I know I probably shouldn’t. But please don’t call or write and tell me I shouldn’t have…


Thanks.