Santa the Jew
19/12/25 My daughter Sunny, who’s lived in Israel since she was two years old, decided to visit mum, knowing she was sick and fading away. She brought Mia, Evie, and little Eitan with her. Ben didn’t come because he was going with his father to a soccer match in Madrid, which sounded like a pretty good deal. I was bubbling with excitement when I picked them up from the airport. There’s nothing like that moment when you haven’t seen family for so long, and suddenly — there the
Jane
Jan 33 min read
Just a perfect day
21/12/25 Four weeks ago mum caught pneumonia. Her breathing was raspy, and I was sure it was her last days. How long can a very old lady go on without eating and barely drinking? She would take a few zips of apple juice, maybe some sweetened tea. No food. No slice of bread cut into nine tiny squares and smeared with butter, honey and peanut butter. No soft egg. Not even a few spoonfuls of chicken soup. Her tummy was shrinking. Mum was going downhill. The GP had arranged palli
Jane
Dec 21, 20251 min read
AYAKA
9/12/25 Mum caught pneumonia a few weeks ago. She sounded terrible, her breathing short and raspy. She was listless, not eating, barely drinking. I was sure that was it. I’ve been sure before, many times. Probably since she first fell down the front stairs five years ago and broke six ribs. And then again three years ago when she broke her hip and leg. And countless times in between. I’ve even shortened my trips to see grandkids in Israel to a maximum of three weeks— such sh
Jane
Dec 9, 20251 min read
Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen
10.25 Last month while I was sitting with Mum, I reminded her that her birthday was coming up. Birthdays don’t mean much once you’ve passed 100. When I told her she was almost 102, she couldn’t believe it. Such a huge number couldn't sink in at all. Jane: Soon….its your birthday. You will be ONE HUNDRED and TWO ! Marysia: Me, ONE HUNDRED and TWO??? No, no…no...no as long. Jane: Not as long? It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable ! Mum can’t hear well so it’s easier to communicat
Jane
Nov 22, 20251 min read
Two Peas in a Pod
22.11.25 Growing up, my parents’ friends would always pinch my cheek and say, “You look exactly like Marysia!” I hated hearing it. It annoyed me every time. Back then, I thought I was young, slim and cool — and Mum was different. Older, rounder, a bit stodgy. I was sure we were nothing alike. And yet, half a century later, here I am: that older, fuller, more stodgy woman. And suddenly I can see that we really were two peas in a pod. Most of mum’s friends are gone now, except
Jane
Nov 22, 20251 min read
Happy birthday sweet Marysia 💝 102 years old!
May this day, Simchat Torah, 2025 A day of mourning and a day to dance, See only peace in Israel, Gaza, and the whole Middle East. ❤️🩹 October 2025 To celebrate Mum’s 102nd birthday, I’d like to share a story about an unusual friendship — between her and her University lecturer. About a month ago, I was reading through a draft of mum’s life story and found myself thinking about all those years she spent at Melbourne University. She was a very mature-age student, studyi
Jane
Oct 14, 20255 min read