For Thom

Epitaph - By Merrit Malloy

When I die
Give what’s left of me away
To children
And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,
Cry for your brother
Walking the street beside you.
And when you need me,
Put your arms
Around anyone
And give them
What you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something,
Something better
Than words
Or sounds.

Look for me
In the people I’ve known
Or loved,
And if you cannot give me away,
At least let me live on in your eyes
And not your mind.

You can love me most
By letting
Hands touch hands,
By letting bodies touch bodies,
And by letting go
Of children
That need to be free.

Love doesn’t die,
People do.
So, when all that’s left of me
Is love,
Give me away. 

Kiddush Levanah

Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon—as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we bless the moon, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.

 

Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. When sanctifying the moon of the month of Tishrei, it is customary to wait till the night after Yom Kippur.

 

Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.

Links:

Brief Guide to Kiddush Levanah: Thank G d for the Moon!

More articles on Kiddush Levanah from our knowledgebase.

 

Regards,

Thom

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thommymac

I heard a voice calling, crying from the deep

No thing can ever hurt you in the endless sleep.

It took a lifetime to build the fortress of rock;

Protect my soul from heartbreak never to unlock.

O'er a half-century three tried with no success,

The fourth came out of nowhere, a breeze gentle carress,

Dropped the gates so gladly! for now I was in love.

Her song was a gentle rain borne the skies above.

Her song said forever we were meant to be as one,

A love too strong for life to become undone.

Then her song ended, no warning and unexpected,

A new first for me, I begged & I protested.

Oh please please take me back!

True love is forever as my heart got its first crack.

I danced as joyous as Miriam when she took me back!

I was faithful the entire time, another first for me.

Oh deepest joy filled me as I thanked Him faithfully,

I dreamed she'd marry me.

Then no words from her as unexpected as before,

This time life was full of hurt; to wake became a chore.

Not a word was said, as I vexed and bled,

All seemed well until I came, the ache of being alone.

Like Charles the 1st a week before I sat upon a throne.

The fool who said better to have loved and lost

Must have never ever felt the cost 

Of believing a woman when she says her love will never end.

The bittersweet thing is I'll wait for her until the very end.

I'll love you forever Stephanie 

Thom MacIntyre, Systems Administrator, MCSE, MCSA, A+, etc.

“The condition of any backup is unknown until a restore is attempted.”

A Chasidic Rabbi once taught, "It is a big mitzvah to be happy... as often as you can."

Me appearing on the dais during Rosh Hashanah

 1:24:26 Meow furthermost left and then in back

1:40:13 Rabbi says to me "Thom you get a double today" and as I move my way to stage left.

Last Saturday during Minyan the little old lady next to me starts sniffling then crying and crying. I overcame my normal stiffness and put me arm around her. Poor little thing’s hearts breaking. When the last song is done she thanked me and gave me an uncomfortably long hug. Well, she is also receiving an Alienu and recognizes me. 1:40:32 I recognize her. It turns out it was her mother’s Yahrzeit last Saturday.  As fate would have, I’m the one sniffing back tears all day. Irony.

https://youtu.be/0YmS8xWL0eA

 

Yes, those are hours then minutes then seconds. I was there from 8 am until 5 PM J

 

Regards,

Thom

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thommymac

L'Shannah Tovah!

 I’m hoping it’s a commo problem and you wouldn’t dump me by just ignoring me. I’ll wait for a call for years if need be. Just terrified you get really sick again. The time where I stared at the Moon and “our” love carried you pops in me head. I don’t know what’s up, just in a world of hurt and would get strength from some reaffirmation.

I love you, always have ALWAYS will.

ThomKat

L'Shannah Tovah!

 I am working up Clarion (2 hour drive) this weekend. Old folks home got bought. Clarion gig is a pretty big deal, unhappy if not openly hostile nurses. Gotta put in routers, connect to RDS, then thin clients on med carts, then down the line. Lotsa med cart embedded experience. Back Monday was SUPPOSED to be standby but now they want us up there to answer questions. That's Rosh Hashanah but G-d wants me to earn a living. I'll head straight to synagogue from there. Can't wait for a real gig, this mercenary shit I don't mind but all this free time and getting stuck working. Oh well Yom Kippur is the biggie, this just kicks it off. Per diem is $135. I wanted to stay at my sister's and drive, pocket the difference. But she's being a butt-head about a bunch of things. Oh well, the Pax Judaica was or longest. She had my credit card for emergencies. Said she cut it up because I was a sneak and got a copy. I didn't so now I can't get a room because I donna know the security number on the back. That's OK, round trip is closer to 3 ½ hours, nothing folks in San Fran don't do every day and this 3 day gig is as much money as a 3 week minimum wage gig, so I gotta keep it in perspective. Premium pay means premium effort. All things considered, it's a fine day. I don’t know what’s up with the commo blackout, terrified you are deathly ill after just starting a job. All I can do is wait. I love you. Always have, always will.

 

Regards,

Thom

Q: What is the one true religion?

A: All systems have their advantages and disadvantages, so just pick the one that best suits your needs and don't let anyone put you down.

Q: How can I protect myself from evil?

A: Change your password every month and don't make it a name, a common word, or a date like your birthday.

Are you ok?

 Honey,

I am worried sick that new job and stress messed up your health. Call soon?

I do love you so very much

-ThomKat

 

Regards,

Thom

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thommymac