-
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
3.31.04-4:54 p.m.
Dear Mom,
Your art cart went out from under you
and you tried to save it.
You almost broke your glasses
in the fall,
the left lense is all scraped
you'll have a small shiner
where one cheek hit the concrete
your knees are all red and will turn black and blue.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Your art cart went out from under you
and you tried to save it.
You almost broke your glasses
in the fall,
the left lense is all scraped
you'll have a small shiner
where one cheek hit the concrete
your knees are all red and will turn black and blue.
Love,
David
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
3.30.04--4:54 p.m.
Dear Mom,
They took your rolling bookcase while you were away
so you took it back
and had a fight on yr hands on day two,
arguing over things of yours gone missing
when they bothered to question you reclaiming it.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Your students made you a card:
"welcome back mrs. kirschenbaum
get well soon
we all missed you so very much
you are so nice
you are so sweet
without you here
art was incomplete
we love you very much."
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
They took your rolling bookcase while you were away
so you took it back
and had a fight on yr hands on day two,
arguing over things of yours gone missing
when they bothered to question you reclaiming it.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Your students made you a card:
"welcome back mrs. kirschenbaum
get well soon
we all missed you so very much
you are so nice
you are so sweet
without you here
art was incomplete
we love you very much."
Love,
David
Monday, March 29, 2004
3.29.04--6:21 p.m.
Dear Mom,
Your first day back teaching
was no different than every other day teaching.
Those who like you welcomed you back
and those who didn't said a few meaningless, if any, words.
You heard they raised $100 to buy you something while you were hospitalized
and you wondered if the floral arrangement and chocolates they sent cost that much.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Your first day back teaching
was no different than every other day teaching.
Those who like you welcomed you back
and those who didn't said a few meaningless, if any, words.
You heard they raised $100 to buy you something while you were hospitalized
and you wondered if the floral arrangement and chocolates they sent cost that much.
Love,
David
Sunday, March 28, 2004
3.29.04--1:12 a.m.
(really 3.28.04)
"Butter looks just yellow enough to be real."
--Ela Kotkowska
Dear Mom,
Your idea
on my passover seder preparations works,
pretend it is a shabbat meal i am planning
buy two roasted chickens cut in 1/8ths,
with veggie and carb sides,
add pesach staples,
and, voila,
a seder is born.
thanks.
love,
david
(really 3.28.04)
"Butter looks just yellow enough to be real."
--Ela Kotkowska
Dear Mom,
Your idea
on my passover seder preparations works,
pretend it is a shabbat meal i am planning
buy two roasted chickens cut in 1/8ths,
with veggie and carb sides,
add pesach staples,
and, voila,
a seder is born.
thanks.
love,
david
3.29.04--1:07 a.m.
(really 3.27.04)
Dear Mom,
You say you are going to the movies,
going to see Mystic River,
but are going to see it in the afternoon
so it won't be the last thing in your mind
before you go to bed.
Love,
David
(really 3.27.04)
Dear Mom,
You say you are going to the movies,
going to see Mystic River,
but are going to see it in the afternoon
so it won't be the last thing in your mind
before you go to bed.
Love,
David
3.27.04--9:50 a.m.
(really 3.26.04)
Dear Mom,
Your brother Murray,
one of my two Uncle Murrays,
one on dad's side on on yours,
is coming from San Diego for Passover.
I mention I'll sleep at my home that night,
assuming he will occupy the guestroom,
my brother Steven's old room.
You say Uncle Murray will be sleeping
in my old bedroom?
What?
Your old bedroom you tell me,
and now I realize why you've been cleaning it.
(really 3.26.04)
Dear Mom,
Your brother Murray,
one of my two Uncle Murrays,
one on dad's side on on yours,
is coming from San Diego for Passover.
I mention I'll sleep at my home that night,
assuming he will occupy the guestroom,
my brother Steven's old room.
You say Uncle Murray will be sleeping
in my old bedroom?
What?
Your old bedroom you tell me,
and now I realize why you've been cleaning it.
3.25.04--11:59 p.m.
Dear Mom,
You used Nuna's recipe,
your mother's recipe,
brought to America from Monasteer, Turkey,
and made kiftez,
the spinach hamburgers
you only make once a year
at Passover.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
You used Nuna's recipe,
your mother's recipe,
brought to America from Monasteer, Turkey,
and made kiftez,
the spinach hamburgers
you only make once a year
at Passover.
Love,
David
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
3.24.04--10:08 p.m.
Dear Mom,
You dropped your inhalation device into the toilet
daddy wanted to dry it so you could use it again
the doctor said it was worthless now
so you offered to go buy one
so you wouldn't have to wait for a new one from mail order medical
the doctor said it was $200 or so,
you decided to wait.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
You dropped your inhalation device into the toilet
daddy wanted to dry it so you could use it again
the doctor said it was worthless now
so you offered to go buy one
so you wouldn't have to wait for a new one from mail order medical
the doctor said it was $200 or so,
you decided to wait.
Love,
David
3.24.04--8:12 a.m.
(really 3.23.04)
Dear Mom,
You sounded better yesterday,
your voice high and happy.
Love,
David
(really 3.23.04)
Dear Mom,
You sounded better yesterday,
your voice high and happy.
Love,
David
Monday, March 22, 2004
3.22.04--11:24 p.m.
Dear Mom,
u don't have a first gear,
but need to find one
now.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
u don't have a first gear,
but need to find one
now.
Love,
David
Sunday, March 21, 2004
3.21.04--11:36 p.m.
Dear Mom,
Ian asked how you were today,
said Daddy called him on friday
in a hurry to evict the tenant,
but then hadn't called back,
and now it was Sunday
and Ian was concerned.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Ian asked how you were today,
said Daddy called him on friday
in a hurry to evict the tenant,
but then hadn't called back,
and now it was Sunday
and Ian was concerned.
Love,
David
Saturday, March 20, 2004
03.21.04--2:43 p.m.
(really 3.20.04)
Dear Mom,
Stop cooking and cleaning,
and just watch some TV and veg.
Love,
David
(really 3.20.04)
Dear Mom,
Stop cooking and cleaning,
and just watch some TV and veg.
Love,
David
3.20.04--4:10 p.m.
(really 3.19.04)
Dear Mom,
Your doctor doesn't want you going back to school yet,
said another cat scan is necessary
before they determine the amount of progress
you have made.
Love,
David
(really 3.19.04)
Dear Mom,
Your doctor doesn't want you going back to school yet,
said another cat scan is necessary
before they determine the amount of progress
you have made.
Love,
David
Thursday, March 18, 2004
3.19.04--12:38 a.m.
(really 3.18.04)
Dear Mom,
You've been writing thank you notes
to your hospital visitors
on sunflower notecards
This one came to my mailbox today:
Dear David--
It is so great having a son
like you, it makes me happy
knowing I can depend on you when
things aren't going well. You
made Daddy happy having him
stay with you, it mae him
feel important, especially when
he was very nervous about me.
Thank you for visiting every
day--and getting me all those
special goodies, chicken soup,
lox and bialys, and
fruit. You knew just what
I needed. I love you and
always will. You make me proud
everyday. I hope and pray
you find someone to share
your life with, you are kind
and generous and would make
someone very happy. Stay as great as
you are. Love you always and always Mommy
Love,
David
(really 3.18.04)
Dear Mom,
You've been writing thank you notes
to your hospital visitors
on sunflower notecards
This one came to my mailbox today:
Dear David--
It is so great having a son
like you, it makes me happy
knowing I can depend on you when
things aren't going well. You
made Daddy happy having him
stay with you, it mae him
feel important, especially when
he was very nervous about me.
Thank you for visiting every
day--and getting me all those
special goodies, chicken soup,
lox and bialys, and
fruit. You knew just what
I needed. I love you and
always will. You make me proud
everyday. I hope and pray
you find someone to share
your life with, you are kind
and generous and would make
someone very happy. Stay as great as
you are. Love you always and always Mommy
Love,
David
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
3.18.04--2:15 a.m.
(really 3.17.04)
Dear Mom,
Daddy went back to work
so you were on yr own today.
xo
david
(really 3.17.04)
Dear Mom,
Daddy went back to work
so you were on yr own today.
xo
david
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
3.17.04--2:30 a.m.
(really 3.16.04)
Dear Mom,
Today was your first day home.
You had daddy take off of work today
as now there were no nurses to buzz to come and help you.
Love,
David
(really 3.16.04)
Dear Mom,
Today was your first day home.
You had daddy take off of work today
as now there were no nurses to buzz to come and help you.
Love,
David
Monday, March 15, 2004
03.16.04--2:15 a.m.
(really 03.15.04)
Dear Mom,
They released you today from the hospital
said you have to spend the week away from teaching
getting bed rest,
finding out if Marlena is really the Salem Slasher on
Days of Our Lives.
Love,
David
(really 03.15.04)
Dear Mom,
They released you today from the hospital
said you have to spend the week away from teaching
getting bed rest,
finding out if Marlena is really the Salem Slasher on
Days of Our Lives.
Love,
David
03.15.04--9:25 a.m.
(really 03.14.04)
Dear Mom,
Yre going to be released soon.
Love,
David
(really 03.14.04)
Dear Mom,
Yre going to be released soon.
Love,
David
Saturday, March 13, 2004
03.14.04--1:35 a.m.
(really 03.13.04)
Dear Mom,
One of your doctors joked that your stay would be extended,
another two weeks.
Your look told him how funny he was.
Love,
David
(really 03.13.04)
Dear Mom,
One of your doctors joked that your stay would be extended,
another two weeks.
Your look told him how funny he was.
Love,
David
03-13.04--4:26 a.m.
(really 03.12.04)
Dear Mom,
Your middle son, Steven,
and his family came to see you tonight for the first time,
on this, the 11th day of your hospital stay,
showing up 30 minutes before visiting hours would end.
Love,
David
(really 03.12.04)
Dear Mom,
Your middle son, Steven,
and his family came to see you tonight for the first time,
on this, the 11th day of your hospital stay,
showing up 30 minutes before visiting hours would end.
Love,
David
Thursday, March 11, 2004
03.11.04--11:14 p.m.
Dear Mom,
The doctor compared your cat scans,
last week versus yesterday's.
He says you look better
but wants you to stay in the hospital
until next tuesday
so you'll have been under observation for two weeks,
so you'll be near healed.
love,
David
Dear Mom,
The doctor compared your cat scans,
last week versus yesterday's.
He says you look better
but wants you to stay in the hospital
until next tuesday
so you'll have been under observation for two weeks,
so you'll be near healed.
love,
David
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
03.10.04--11:27 p.m.
Dear Mom,
Dr. Sloan said that you have improved
from last week's cat scan to this week's.
He diagnosed you as having bacterial pneumonia,
and said you could be home by the weekend.
Soon after you were on the phone with American Airlines,
trying to take advantage of their
buy one domestic roundtrip and fly by april 15,
get one roundtrip to anywhere in the world they fly special.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Dr. Sloan said that you have improved
from last week's cat scan to this week's.
He diagnosed you as having bacterial pneumonia,
and said you could be home by the weekend.
Soon after you were on the phone with American Airlines,
trying to take advantage of their
buy one domestic roundtrip and fly by april 15,
get one roundtrip to anywhere in the world they fly special.
Love,
David
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
3.09.04--11:00 p.m.
Dear Mom,
Your insurance company was denying your current hospital stay
and so you called them
and a few minutes later
they weren't denying your claim anymore.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
Your insurance company was denying your current hospital stay
and so you called them
and a few minutes later
they weren't denying your claim anymore.
Love,
David
Monday, March 08, 2004
3.09.04--12:26 a.m.
(really 3.08.04)
Dear Mom,
You sounded better on the phone today.
Tomorrow they're giving you another cat scan
to see if your lungs have been clearing up.
Love,
David
(really 3.08.04)
Dear Mom,
You sounded better on the phone today.
Tomorrow they're giving you another cat scan
to see if your lungs have been clearing up.
Love,
David
Sunday, March 07, 2004
3.08.04--12:17 a.m.
(really 3.07.04)
Dear Mom,
Two kids from nyu came to wish you a happy purim
to give you a bag filled with treats for the holiday,
Shalach Monot,
the boy just turned 18 and his major is undecided
the girl is 18, too, and is pursuing jewish studies.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
My sister and her family came to see you this evening
and you helped her daughter Michelle
watercolor a sunflower and hearts
while sitting up in your adjustable bed.
Love,
David
(really 3.07.04)
Dear Mom,
Two kids from nyu came to wish you a happy purim
to give you a bag filled with treats for the holiday,
Shalach Monot,
the boy just turned 18 and his major is undecided
the girl is 18, too, and is pursuing jewish studies.
Love,
David
Dear Mom,
My sister and her family came to see you this evening
and you helped her daughter Michelle
watercolor a sunflower and hearts
while sitting up in your adjustable bed.
Love,
David
Saturday, March 06, 2004
3.07.04--1:18 p.m.
(really 3.06.04)
Dear Mom,
The rabbi said they'd send someone to yr hospital room
to take you down in a wheelchair
so you could attend that evening's Purim celebration.
Instead dad pushed you in a wheelchair
before we read from the Book of Esther.
love,
david
(really 3.06.04)
Dear Mom,
The rabbi said they'd send someone to yr hospital room
to take you down in a wheelchair
so you could attend that evening's Purim celebration.
Instead dad pushed you in a wheelchair
before we read from the Book of Esther.
love,
david
3.06.04--5:23 a.m.
(really 3.05.04)
Dear Mom,
The woman you're sharing your room with in the hospital
was given an enema,
every so often they would check to see if she had made or needed help.
Then they told her to call them when she made or needed help.
Before she could call
she went to the bathroom.
you told daddy on the phone that she shit all over everything
and you couldn't handle the smell.
Love,
David
(really 3.05.04)
Dear Mom,
The woman you're sharing your room with in the hospital
was given an enema,
every so often they would check to see if she had made or needed help.
Then they told her to call them when she made or needed help.
Before she could call
she went to the bathroom.
you told daddy on the phone that she shit all over everything
and you couldn't handle the smell.
Love,
David
Thursday, March 04, 2004
3.05.04--1:42 a.m.
(really 3.04.04)
Dear Mom,
Your hospital phone kept ringing
while i sat bedside
i was happy to hear you talk
to see you hear how loved you are.
love,
david
(really 3.04.04)
Dear Mom,
Your hospital phone kept ringing
while i sat bedside
i was happy to hear you talk
to see you hear how loved you are.
love,
david
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
3.4.04--2:32 a.m.
(really 3.3.04)
Dear Mom,
Dad and I drove out to Long Island tonight
to get your old chest x-rays
so Dr. Mark Sloan
--not the Dick Van Dyke from Diagnosis Murder one--
can see how yr condition has progressed.
Dad found one of yours done twenty years ago,
and one of mine done in 1979.
Love,
David
(really 3.3.04)
Dear Mom,
Dad and I drove out to Long Island tonight
to get your old chest x-rays
so Dr. Mark Sloan
--not the Dick Van Dyke from Diagnosis Murder one--
can see how yr condition has progressed.
Dad found one of yours done twenty years ago,
and one of mine done in 1979.
Love,
David
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
3.3.04--2:09 a.m.
(really 3.2.04)
Dear Mom,
You did your hair before checking into the hospital,
and the nurses were waiting to take Estelle Kirschenbaum up to her room,
but they thought you looked too well to be her.
Love,
David
(really 3.2.04)
Dear Mom,
You did your hair before checking into the hospital,
and the nurses were waiting to take Estelle Kirschenbaum up to her room,
but they thought you looked too well to be her.
Love,
David
3/2/04 -- 5:56 a.m.
(really 3/1/04)
Dear Mom,
Don't die.
Love,
David
(really 3/1/04)
Dear Mom,
Don't die.
Love,
David
