Willy Woo-Woo

Brothers and Sisters,

What a beautiful splendid day. The weather is warm and I enjoyed the afternoon walk, painted. I am happy!

The first four paintings were done. Take a look. Interesting, the paintings can be detached from me, the artist, and how I am feeling.

Yes, they look mostly sad or maybe something else. The first portrait, a boy looks as if he’s about to break down in tears (soul-portrait 1,551 ). Oh well, I was having a delightful day. I was in great spirits and had thought about and prayed for my parent-in-laws and did Teshuvah (asked for forgiveness) for earlier things. I was embraced by three loving dogs and owners in a field during a walk, friendly, and a man I met said everything is lovely. He was right. My mother wrote a poem about love. I was feeling good about everything.

Then I reached home and opened the computer and could not remember the names of the people I knew – the memory issue had come back, strongly. Interestingly I didn’t succumb. I felt like this was not good but didn’t have the feeling of something horrible. I called Esther and she would be back home soon. We talked. I did not remember her brother’s name, her father’s name seemed strange, unknown, could it be an Italian sounding name?

Interestingly I still knew her mother’s name. For about 40 minutes I tried to write names to see who I remembered. In addition to family, I tried actors, friends, politicians and then would try again. When Esther returned we talked and I told her I was Ok, not pleased and still wondering what was happening (for the new reader, click here – you’ll read about a medical thing). I had been blessed.

I’m not a physician. We never called the doctors even though they kept a squad informed and ready because of what I had had. This is what I know. HaShem (G-d) was with me and was speaking to me again (with angels or souls) and he certainly found my attention.

It was a message that my Emunah* was not strong, not strong enough for what was happening. I painted again. Why not? I particularly like the first one, seems happy even though I was in distress. I picked up a stick and just scratched the canvas. The second portrait was painted while I spoke with my wife for some of the time.

This medical thing wasn’t important, it was just a thing, a message. I told Esther, if this was a real thing I would know. I called what was happening Willy Woo-Woo. I had to give it some name. Still, somehow I knew G-d was with me. A gentle and loving hand was on my shoulder, letting me know this thing was necessary but wasn’t real. Over the next hours my memory started to return and clear moment by moment.

Later that same evening I went to shul to pray, driven by my son, and then painted more when I returned home. I also wrote down some notes and went to bed. I was deeply tired around 10 /11.

Interestingly, this is what I wrote:

“Each painting is a message in a bottle, a glimpse into the lives of Jews and Arabs, the children of Abraham, living together, sometimes joyfully and other times tragically. Fates can be changed. The Arab and Jewish souls will be healed. We will know joy and peace in the land of Israel and our love will be a blessing to all.”

Daniel

Note: I thought this would be a good time to share the paintings above and what is written in the letter. We have a profound connection brothers and sisters (this is another one I didn’t see coming). It helps me understand the power of love and G-d. The paintings were done on this date February 10.  I’m writing today, May 2016.

*Emunah – generally translated as ‘faith’ is so much more than that, an innate conviction, knowing and trust in Hashem (G-d). All is well.

To find our joy we need to heal, be healed and forgive. 8,442 Paintings to go (of the 10,000). Find the painting that speaks to you, for you.