observanteen

Thanks for the inspiration, Emunas. Very well written. I truly appreciate it.

Rachel Pomerants is Definitely one of my favorites. I just finished “Wildflower” – absolutely amazing. There’s so much you can learn from her books. I’ve read countless times “As Mountains Around Jerusalem” and “A Time To Rend, A Time To Sew”.

As for suspense novels (which I usually feel empty after reading, so I don’t do it often) Chaim Greenberg is certainly the best. His latest “Mexico Files” had me reading it almost in one shot. Both, his first book, “The Will” and this are well written and truly fascinating.

aries: Well said.

binahyeseirah: Welcome back! I truly missed you here. Your common sense is a rare virtue;).

I thought mod 80 fixed that (the profile thing)but I just realized that he probably didn’t. I hope they fix it soon.

Hope you stay here!

Jothar: Although your intentions are good, and I respect you for protecting the fellow cr’ers, you gave some of us quite a scare. I for one, grew really frightened. And now you say the game’s (almost)over without elaborating. Look, we’re not toys who you can play around with. Please give us a legitimate reason why we should feel safe now. I truly feel that you owe us an explanation.

I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings by posting this. I really don’t want to make you feel bad. Maybe I’m taking it harder than others.

Thank you, mod 80. For everything.

Welcome aboard, Wonderstruck. Nice having you here:)

Mustangrider:

“but i still feal that having ppl learn true Emuna and Bitachon will work far better than trying to make them “Scared Straight””

You’re entitled to feel that way, but do you have any experience with this?

Yes. It’s completely okay to have yirah. Why, it says countless times in the Torah that one should fear Hashem. We also must have ahava. But in case you don’t know, most OTD teens CRAVE tough love. They WANT to be directed and guided. Sometimes, they even want to be yelled at. They feel so lost and alone – they’re in DIRE need of some yirah.

As Toi said, there are lots of teens who go off simply out of taava. Our world today is really dangerous. With Internet, a blackberry or a bad friend it’s pretty easy to slide down that slippery slope.

And those who have difficult parents and/or siblings etc. CONSTANTLY hear that “Yeah, nebach. Ploni almoni went OTD. But he’s really not to blame. He had a difficult childhood, y’know.” And so, 14, 13 and even 12 year old kids are going OTD.

I think it’s time it became UNACCEPTABLE to go OTD.

I’ve a relative who had the worst life you can ever imagine. Insane abusive parents, divorced, remarried lost his second expecting wife tragically plus, plus. And he said, “I fail to understand how people go OTD. Why, I’ve nothing left in this world, but Hashem. Should I leave Him too?” Why do you think he said that? Because he has yiras shomayim AND ahavas Hashem.

mustangrider: You seem to be very strong with your opinion. I’d just like to say that I too, had it hard. I can’t share all the details here, but believe me, I’ve had many difficult challenges. I don’t think I’d be “greatly shocked” to find out what the OTD kids are going through. I know. But let me tell you something. One of my parents grew up in a terrible environment. To the point where s/he PLANNED on how to commit suicide at age eleven (!). And yet, ALL of his/her siblings remained frum. Why’s that? Why did the previous generation have FAR less OTD teens? I truly DO think it’s because of a lack of yiras shomayim. How do I know? I don’t think you want to know how;)

blabla: I’m sorry your thread turned into a battlefield;) I’ll try bringing this thread back on track.

I wrote this when feeling that I was working so hard to overcome the challenges of my life while everybody’s having an easy time.

My Reward

Beads of sweat formed on my brow. I panted heavily. My heart was racing wildly, but I didn’t give up. I continued running with unbreakable determination. I kept my eyes focused ahead of me, trying to outrun my competitors. There was still a long way to go. I felt like my energy was spent, but my feet seemed to take a life of their own.

I had to win this marathon. The ground grew hot and my sneakers itchy, but I ran on. I was driven by a hidden force. I was coming closer to my goal. But it was so hard.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the spectators on the bleachers. They were cheering wildly, laughing and eating to their hearts’ content. A wave of envy overcame me. here I was – huffing and puffing, while they were relaxing and having fun.

A salty tear made its way out of my eye. Why was I supposed to work so hard?

“It’s not fair,” I thought. I continued running half-heartedly. My thoughts were zooming to the rhythm of my running feet.

“What do they know of hard work?” I thought bitterly. “All they know is how to have a good time. They’ve got no idea what it’s like to run without a break.”

Suddenly, they bright yellow finish line winked at me from the distance. A wave of energy pumped through my veins. I ran for all I was worth.

Deafening applause thundered in my ears as I retrieved my gold trophy. I made it. I won. I beamed with pride. I glanced at the onlookers. A wide grin spread across my face.

No, they haven’t worked hard.

But they haven’t got a reward.

Duh. Not the greatest time for me now:(

Kapusta, you certainly deserve all of this praise. You always have a kind word to say, you’re polite, and you apologize if you feel you’ve hurt anyone… I truly respect you.

Kapusta: I couldn’t agree more! She’s a great comforter, supporter, lends a listening ear, sincere and possesses a sharp and deep mind, and has a sensitive and caring heart.

Princess? Why’re you hiding? Quit that!;)

blabla: I am interested in your other thread, but didn’t get the chance to write. Your piece is truly beautifully sad. I also wanted to tell you that I just read my diary, and I can say, I forget how HELPLESS I felt then. Blabla, I really do understand what you’re going through. Hang in there!

I wrote this last night:

Dreams

Like all little girls

With long bouncy curls,

When day turned into night,

I’d hug my pillow tight

And dream…

I’d see myself grow fast

I was a mother – at last!

I’d see myself scrubbing,

Cooking and rubbing,

Washing dirty faces,

Tying shoelaces…

I’d see the kids I’d nourish

And watch them flourish

I’d see my home so cozy,

My future – so rosy…

Time passed on

My innocence long gone

No curls framed my face

Of the dream there wasn’t a trace.

For my world had turned black

I was going off track

I was sucked into an abyss

And dreamed – for life’s bliss…

How I yearned for the dream of old

But I knew, it’ll never unfold

I have gone astray

Here I was – so far away…

My dream will IY”H soon take place

Hot tears flood my face

Hashem’s kept His watchful eye

On my dream and I.

He waited, for me to redeem

My lifelong sweet dream.

Missed you too… Looking forward to talk to you tomorrow.:)

blabla: That’s funny. I just thoughtof opening this type of thread but didn’t get to it… Thanks! Sorry, it’s too late to write now, but I probably will do in the near future. How about you? I’d love to see some of your writing!

I like Burberry, Brooks Brothers and Dulce & Gabbana light blue.

And what’s the moral of the story?

giggle: are you also part of the gefen clan?

Princess: Yeah…prolly IMHO,lol. 🙂 And it is a shame I don’t work now:(