I Attended a Joe Uveges Concert! 9-21-18

About three years ago, I fell off my bike and hurt my back. I was in tremendous pain, so I had multiple appointments at the physical therapist. The pain was so great, that regular medical massages were suggested.

It turned out that the person that did those medical massages was Joe Uveges.

During those massages we would talk.

I told Joe about my skating life and how much I enjoyed doing things outdoors like skiing, biking, hiking, and scootering. 

We talked about our families.  Joe must have mentioned he was a musician, but didn't tell me much more.

Then, at one of the medical massage appointments, I asked Joe about his music.  That is when I learned he was a composer and was a man of many talents who played both the piano and guitar and other instruments and that he traveled all over giving concerts.

And....eventually we became Facebook friends.

It was on Facebook one day that I learned that Joe's son Andrew had passed away.

I didn't know the circumstances, but I sent a card to the physical therapist's office and asked that they forward my sympathy card to Joe.  Later, I learned later that Joe's son was only 15 years old and that Andrew was adopted and had committed suicide.

I was surprised to find out that only a few weeks after his son's death, that Joe was back at work giving medical massages. The pain I was experiencing was not as great as before, but I still needed the massages.

At the first medical massage after Joe's son's death, I was glad to be able to give Joe a hug when we happened to meet in front of the office just as Joe drove up and as I rode my Razor Lux scooter up to the office parking lot.

 Joe was grateful for the sympathy card I sent, but I didn't want to say anything that would cause Joe more pain, so we didn't discuss his son's tragic death at future appointments. Eventually, I got better and I think Joe may have stopped giving medical massages.

I've always wanted to go to one of Joe's concerts, but I always seem to be away from Colorado when Joe sings locally; however, this last Friday night, 9-21-18, my husband, Dan, and I got to go to a concert Joe gave to help support One Simple Voice, a religious organization that holds retreats to help and encourage people. That organization has helped Joe get through losing his son.

At the concert, we were among people who all believe in different ways. Joe shared many different songs; some were about his belief in God and how he listens and hears God's voice, but others were just fun or beautiful.

I approached Joe during the intermission and he told me how much it meant to him that I had come to hear him share. He said he was grateful for each person that came.

Anyway, I feel honored to know Joe Uveges and I am so glad that he has found some peace since his son's tragic death.

 

Remember Me

I saw the movie Coco last week.  The theme of the movie is "Remember Me" which reminds me of the wonderful Jewish tradition of remembering those who have passed away.  By remembering our loved ones in our memories and our hearts, they stay alive!

For example, I never knew my grandfather Joseph Kadison, but my mother shared his photo with me since I was a child, so he is remembered.  Then, I was able to go to the gravesite of my great-grandfather Adolph Regenstreich, so his memory has been kept alive too.  More recently, a relative on my mother's side found a photo of my great-grandfather, Menachem Kadashon, so he is remembered too.

Of course, I think about my grandma Fannie all the time and my mother Edith Kadison Schneider who died in January 2011.  I was so close to both of them.  My memories and the memories of others in the family have kept them alive. 

 

I'm Shocked About Rabbi Mel Glazer's Passing

On the morning of April 23, 2018, I casually opened my email and learned that Rabbi Mel Glazer, who had been our family's rabbi at Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, passed away on Sunday, April 22.  I was shocked and so was everyone who Rabbi Glazer touched.

Rabbi Glazer only just recently had left Colorado Springs and Temple Shalom.  He was the rabbi that conducted my daughter Annabelle's Bat Mitzvah and he was the rabbi that made me feel like I really belonged at Temple Shalom.  I enjoyed his Tuesday morning Torah study so much.  He even followed me on Facebook and was very impressed with my kids' skating and with my energy.

In previous years, I wrote a few blog posts about Rabbi Glazer.  The links to those posts are below.

• Book Review: A GPS For Grief And Healing by Rabbi Mel Glazer - January, 2014
• Words of Wisdom From Rabbi Mel Glazer (who just moved to Florida) - September, 2017
• Thoughts From a Local Rabbi - December, 2011

Temple Israel Retreat in Malibu, California! 4/13 -- 4/15/18

Temple Israel's 2018 retreat at Camp Hess-Kramer in Malibu was a wonderful and amazing experience!

At the end of the weekend, my dad told me he didn't want to leave.  It was great getting to know many of the young families that attend the temple's religious school and also it was fun to get to know some of the older people that are Temple Israel members better.

 Of course I couldn't resist bringing my mountain scooter and regular scooter and I enjoyed exploring the place on my scooters, but also on foot.

The food was wonderful too.  Also, celebrating Shabbat on Saturday morning outside was super cool.  It was neat to roast marshmallows around the campfire on Saturday night after Havdalah.  I enjoyed hiking on my own and exploring the path from the camp that went right to the beach!

And...the Sunday morning prayers while overlooking the ocean with the rabbi was so cool!

The best part of the retreat was making new friends and getting to know some of the people I've met at the temple better.  The closing circle on Sunday was a special time for everyone!

I also enjoyed showing off my "scooter ballet" skills at the Talent Show and seeing some really impressive talent from those who participated.

My dad and I hope to attend the retreat again and again!

 See the video below for wonderful views of Camp Hess-Kramer!