Benching Gomel

In the Jewish tradition there is a special prayer one says after having survived a dangerous situation, and the saying of it is called "Benching Gomel." When I discussed benching gomel with Heshy, wondering how it works in an Orthodox synagogue, neither of us knew the answer. Then today while I was at services, Rabbi Dardik came up to me to ask if I'd like to bench gomel. Needless to say, I was delighted. He called upon me during the announcements after the end of the service, and I stood, said the few words of the prayer, and the congregation replied with their few words.

Something about doing this just filled me with a pleasure I can't quite name. Perhaps it's acknowledging G-d's hand in everything that happens.

I think I shocked a lot of people by showing up today. I kept telling them that Veronica's patients often go home the next day, feeling like I did. No one seemed to buy it. I felt my smile spread from ear to ear every time I was greeted. My friend and seatmate Ginna is away with her in-laws, or I just know she would have been giggling over my obvious joy at being there.

One interesting factoid about the aftereffects of my surgery -- my hearing has become quite acute, even the sound that my computer makes when I boot up makes me jump.

I will be seeing Veronica on Tuesday morning to get the drain removed and to hear the pathology report.

I intend to spend the next six weeks having fun, getting things sorted out in my desk at home, seeing friends, etc.

NOTE TO FRIENDS in the Bay Area: Send me an email and we'll make plans, OK?

Pray for continued good health.