Miriam L. Wallach: That's Life 1-23-09

Posted

Issue of Jan. 23, 2009 / 27 Tevet 5769

Dear That’s Life,

This past Motza’ei Shabbat, I took my 11-year-old son to Maariv as snowflakes began to fall. We had walked less than a block when I looked down and saw that my son was wearing Crocs, those shoes with big holes.

“That is about as smart as getting a 58 on a test,” I said.

“Probably closer to a 48,” he replied.

We had walked another half block when he turned to me. “This was as smart as only getting your name right on a test.”

One more block, the snow was sticking all over, and he said, “My feet are freezing. This was like getting even your name wrong on a test.”

Abe Blank

Cedarhurst

Dear That’s Life,

The inauguration of our 44th president has provoked a lot of discussion in our home. Throughout the campaign, culminating with the election, we had numerous political discussions with our eldest children. Being in Times Square on election night provided them with an “I remember where I was when I heard that Barack Obama was elected President of the United States” moment. We will all remember it for the rest of our lives.

With the Inauguration just hours away we had been watching what I dubbed “The World’s Greatest Pep Rally,” as the pre-Inauguration festivities continued. We watched Sunday’s event at the Lincoln Memorial and heard many of the songs replayed on the radio. As we listened together, my two oldest children began to discuss what would happen if our family were to move into the White House.

One of them commented that maybe all of the socks we’ve been losing would no longer be a problem, or that we would need an entire room for our growing collection of single socks. But then, the conversation turned to the changes that would have to be made should the Wallachs become America’s First Family.

I quickly dispelled their misconception that the entire White House was for the use of the President and his family. I explained that the Obamas’ private quarters have plenty of room but do not encompass the entire building. One daughter wanted to know if she would be allowed to jump on the bed in the Lincoln bedroom. I told her I had a feeling the answer was ‘no.’

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