Rest in Peace

Today I lost a very dear friend. Lynn Greif was one of those very special people that don't come into your life very often.
When the boys and I moved to Lakeland in 2003, Lynn was one of the first friends I made. I met her at Temple, as her daughter Sarah, was in the same Bar/Bat Mitzvah class as Brett. I remember she came up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Lynn. I know you just moved here. What can I do to help get you situated?" We became fast friends, I helped her with Sarah's Bat Mitzvah which was in January of 2003 and she helped me with Brett's Bar Mitzvah, which was in April of the same year. Back then she was a teacher in elementary school. Last year she became the principal. She loved kids. She loved life. She loved to shop. But most important, Lynn loved her kids: Ben and Sarah. Ben just started medical school at Florida State University. Sarah, moved to Gainesville 3 weeks ago to begin her freshman classes at the University of Florida. Lynn was so proud of them. You could see it in her eyes. Her husband Stuart, is a psychologist in Plant City, Florida.
I will miss her smiling face, the long phone calls about nothing, and her positive and humorous outlook on life.
She was 47 years old. She died quickly from a brain aneurysm. Ben and Sarah are on their way home. I pray for them and Stuart.
Baruch Hashem. May the Lord grant her peace.

I Miss Him

I can't sleep again. At least this time I have a good reason. Stephen called tonight. Casey and Gavin will not be making the trip up here this weekend. I am so torn up inside it hurts. I haven't seen them in 2 months. I've seen pictures. He's getting so big. And he smiles...alot...a big toothless grin. I hear him over the phone when I talk to Stephen. He's trying to say SOMETHING, you can just tell.
I thought being a Bubbe was supposed to be easier than being a parent. I wonder if I'll ever get to find out.
My heart is broken. I'm such a baby.

You Can't Make This Shit Up

Just got this from "Yahoo News" Unbelievable.

TORONTO - Air Canada's regional carrier Jazz is removing life vests from all its planes to save weight and fuel.
Jazz spokeswoman Manon Stuart said Thursday that government regulations set by Transport Canada allow airlines to use floatation devices instead of life vests provided the planes remain within 50 nautical miles of shore.

Safety cards in the seat pockets of Jazz aircraft now direct passengers to use the seat cushions as floatation devices.

"The nature of our operations doesn't require that we carry both," Stuart said.

Stuart said Jazz is a transcontinental carrier that doesn't fly over the ocean.

Jazz planes do fly over the Great Lakes and along the Eastern seaboard from Halifax to Boston and New York.

Just so I understand, Jazz, wants to save fuel, which will help bring down the price of a ticket. Got it. To help save fuel, they are getting rid of life jackets. Got it. Yet if the plane should take a dive over water, I must pray that I have the ability to pull the seat cushion from under my fat ass so I don't drown. Got it.
Remind me not to peregrinate near the Great Lakes with this airline.
Sorry Big Ed.