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“TOUCHING THE EARTH” A glimpse into a Grandmother's Soul |
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  Prologue to my Book of Poetry To You, My Truly Blue— A Glimpse Into “Granna’s” Soul I knew only one of my grandparents. My father’s father died in 1917 in Poland, his mother died in the Holocaust. My maternal grandfather died long before I was born leaving my grandmother widowed with two young daughters in her early thirties. It was from Granny that I experienced unconditional love. She provided the most precious and important relationship of my childhood. How I wish I had recorded the story of her incredible life: a journey spanning 91 years. In this anthology I have included a short story about one of my early memories of my Granny. I wish for nothing more than that my granddaughters remember me, the way I remember my grandmother. I started writing poetry at a retreat in Ireland a few years ago given by a dear friend who challenged me knowing I would resist owing to my dyslexia. It was a creative field I had always shied away from. Many of my early poems were written during a period of struggle to make the decision to leave Israel and return to South Africa. I was born in Johannesburg and lived there for 46 years. I moved to Israel in 1988, with my daughters. My longing for South Africa never left me. After 17 years I came back to live in the Cape. Yet the torment of leaving my daughter and my granddaughter Zohar was painful. My connection to her is as deep and intense as every grandmother understands. Knowing that I would not be able to share in her daily life, I realized that some day, when older, I needed her to know and perhaps cherish my innermost feelings through this book of poetry. It is the form that allows me to express things simply and truthfully. And it is something that will be there long after I am gone. The seeds of my joy in writing were sown on that magical trip to Innes Chrone in Ireland. This little book of poems grew out of my overwhelming love for my then only granddaughter, the pain of moving away from her and the events that followed. I dedicate this book to my now two precious granddaughters Zohar and Arad who have taken my heart to a place of loving far deeper than I can express. Also to my three very special daughters: Debbie, Judy and Danielle who bless my life, enrich it and challenge me to be the best mother I can. I ask forgiveness for the times that I have failed. I also give thanks to all those who have so richly touched my creative and event-filled life, who have added brilliant colors to my life’s pallet. Some of my drawings, mindless doodles, and special photographs are included in this book |
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