I applaud you, Mary, along with your brother, on speaking out against the danger that your uncle poses (again) to this country. It cannot have been easy. Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2025 for us all. 🙏🏻🎄🎁
I could not have stated this any better, except I am not a liberal woman LOL! The chaos has already started, based on his reckless choices for the cabinet. This is Donald adding his PS to a crusade by extending the middle finger. A ruthless individual without a conscience, but America is a strong nation and we will survive. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all that celebrate.
Thanks for the heads up. I’m a lonely wandering Jew without family. They were all liquidated in the Holocaust. My parents somehow survived. Your uncle gives me PTSD. He’s a Fascist dictator and as I spend my holiday in solitude glad my parents aren’t alive to witness what’s going to happen. This is not my country!
Leah there are more of us then you can imagine I remember my grandmother saying as if it was yesterday to “pay attention “ that in our lives Hitler will return” she felt very strongly that Hitler would never die. She was a survivor of a concentration camp I was a child and didn’t understand now I’m 69 and do understand every word she taught us it’s a combination of belief,hope yes courage but most importantly to Unite she use to say that all the money and power in the world could never take our thoughts and hopes I watched today my grandchildren some are Jewish some are Christian some are nature believing in belief yet for the first time I saw that it didn’t matter what their religion it was their strength to celebrate as one. I guess that we will all have to stand to the test for freedom my 18 year old grandson said that he and his friends think it’s no time for hero’s it’s time for all of us to stand together each equal no matter what path we have walked. I believe little by little we will see this come to fruition this year.
Carin, I sincerely hope your belief in fruition comes true this year. My father escaped Łódź Poland and survived Nazis by lowering himself out of a train, dropping back in a march pretending he was a plain clothes Nazi. My mother ran with one of her sisters from Hungary cleaning houses to survive. She didn’t share too many horrors, but she saw one sister with her baby being gassed in a truck.
These things affect the very core of our humanity. It’s collectively grown in the DNA of those that suffer every day from brutal attacks and abuse.
I’ve felt it first hand from my own family.
My father also told me hate would never end. Jews would be persecuted again and again. Each generation carries the seeds of hate.
I never noticed hate even in my thirties and on up I saw plenty of dislikes it wasn’t till Trump came that friends neighbors that I loved and respected in my life started following Trump to my shock. I began so slowly understanding my grandmother she was the one of the few of survivor’s by sympathetic Nazi soldiers and then priest got her to America her family was from Amsterdam the Nazis would go neighborhood by neighborhood if you were wealthy or had real estate they wanted you were shoved into a truck with a star and eventually a tattoo regardless if you were a Jew or not she told us that many thought they be saved once they reached the gates but no one cared there was no one to straighten it out they died by the thousands while she was in the camp she told us that it filled daily with people who were so called undesirable many would still sit and praise Hitler they thought it was a mistake that Hitler would save them till their death I look at MAGA as a historical repeat of them. I can understand now that there was no talking to convince them what Trump is. My grandmother said that we must focus on the small things every day can bring joy to our lives that we must never believe of bringing major changes by ourselves that our community is as far as we should concentrate and of course unity. I have to wonder if there are millions of Holocaust survivors grandchildren such as you and I ? We were all taught in many different ways how to survive if hate came again perhaps it would be a worthy goal to start reaching out to gathering just the private family stories. A lot of people ignore the stories I tell them but to be sure those of us that were raised with survivors KNOW better.
Carin, this is a deeply moving reflection. Your grandmother’s story carries so much weight—her wisdom about focusing on small joys and building unity in the face of unimaginable hate feels like such a powerful guide, even today. The way she saw the blind loyalty around her, even as people suffered, is such a haunting parallel to the divisions and unwavering beliefs we see now.
The idea of gathering private family stories is incredibly profound. These stories are living history, and they remind us of what can happen when hate goes unchecked. It’s not just about remembering—it’s about learning. You’re right that those raised by survivors carry a unique perspective, one that understands both the fragility and strength of humanity in ways others might overlook.
Do you think sharing these stories more widely could help bridge some of the divides we’re seeing today? Maybe they could serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how easily we could fall back.
You have it. I’m a 2nd gen survivor and daughter of Orthodox Jews. As a woman I was a second class citizen in my own family. My mother passed in 1969. This had a huge effect on my life. Without a parent or mentor I had to go solo. My brother was abusive. My father was absent. I am lost. I can’t find my fishbowl.
Leah, I'm not Jewish and my family were founding ( anti- democratic masonic ) fathers and my family has also passed away and I feel exactly as you do..this isn't my country because Republicans are still too chicken, Democrats not strong enough to make equality for the majority ( women) of the population and 55% of voters and women don't act in their own self interest in sufficient quantity to stop the destructive pseudo Christian right. So I'm making plans to live abroad in a country where women are equal under the constitution, life is half the cost, health care is a human right. And frankly I fault Biden for not making women's rights a priority, and supporting the genocidal patriarchy in Israel. I'm also not Palestinian but they are people and their homeland has been brutally occupied and decimated. Just know that many more people than Jews are and feel alone and at risk these days. You are not alone in that way.
Hannah, well done. I wish I could leave this country as well, but I’m too old and tired. The stress would kill me. I’m just holed up in my women’s cave making my own world and if that includes shutting out the world than so be it. I hope all people of the world find some peace and relief in the coming years somewhere…over the rainbow.
Hannah, I too have been making plans to find another country in which to live. I speak French but things are a mess over there as well. So now I am teaching myself Spanish on Duolingo. I was looking for a country with an expat population and a lower cost of living since I'm a retired teacher. I settled on Panama after the election. I know! Couldn't believe it when the former guy, and soon to be present guy, started saber-rattling against Panama. I have nothing to keep me here. I am a childless cat lady and they consider us a threat to the country although I doubt they will come rounding us up. But I want to be part of the resistance from abroad. I just cannot abide the hatred and cruelty of Maga.
My son’s in-laws just moved to Belize and by the end of next year he and his family will join them. It amazes me that John Hopkins has built several hospitals in South America my daughter n law will use the one in Panama they have connected in Belize its real healthcare system with no outlandish cost. I graduated from nursing school in 1973 but in my day John Hopkins in Baltimore held all the top research doctors and were beyond leading in medicine . Not sure what exactly it is today. It doesn’t surprise me that they saw the writing on the wall way way back
I am 85, moved to Merida, Mexico in 2010. Fine health care. Affordable housing. Help for cleaning and garden work. $25 for 4 hours, which is high for here. No chance of getting shot in the grocery store. Many Spanish speaking countries to chose from. If I were younger, I would relocate to Colombia. I like to new and different.
Thanks for your post. I ,too want to go to another country ,but do not know where. Any one have ideas of the best place to live. I am very serious about this idea.. Suggestions please from you.
My ancestors came here in 1638 from Sweden, served in every war that America was involved. Patriots all, but it is , and will not be a good country to live in after Jan. 2025. Tell me where I can go to live that is not so expensive. I do not have lots of money.
He also cause me serious pain and suffering. My depression took a very hard downward turn after the election and holidays during which he caused more worry and upheaval. I’m alone no family and I don’t know that I can survive Donald’s evil. I wish my life away because there is no hope
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
A book I enjoyed this year was your latest book. Thank you for sharing your story! I felt your pain and admire you so much for standing up to the narcs in your family. You are a true shero! I wish you a wonderful new year! Despite the jerks in this world we still have good books, music and coffee!
Amen, Sister Cherilyn! I thank the Powers That Be for books, and lately ebooks! I am stuck in bed 90% of the day, with degenerative disc disease and fibromyalgia. I would have died without my Kindle/tablets that keep me in books on demand and keep me connected to people like everyone here. Blessings on you all ❤️🕎❤️🎄😘
May you be surrounded with enough love and joy this Christmas that it sustains you through what promises to be the most fractious New Year. Thank you for being you and speaking the hard truth that the corporate media shamefully ignores. Sending love from Canada. (We have snow !) ❄️🩵✨
I think it was 15 years ago that we had the last bunch of snowstorms....we were buried and then buried on top of that, and it was so beautiful and serene. I could still take walks then, and I loved bundling up and plunging through the deep snow...it was so quiet! No traffic at all. I could almost believe I had left the city.
tELL ME ABOUT CANADA, please. I am thinking about another country to live in. I am old and with very little money but I do not want to live in USA. NOW. My family has been here since the beginning and served faithfully but we have never had such a disagreeable leader.
Where in Canada is best. British Columbia perhaps. Your opinion please.
Judith Dyer---Thanks--Tell me about Mexico. I do not speak Spanish but guess could learn. Is it safe in certain parts. Where would be best area. to live? Thanks again for the post.
Bonnie Reeves, I can't tell you about a whole country. You should take trips, stay in hostels where people will actually speak to you. Those who aren't just doing their phones. People of all ages from other countries.
I live in Merida which is safe but now very hot and humid 7 months a year.
My Spanish is limited to words, I have a decent vocabulary...not complete sentences. Locals are very tolerant so there is communication. I have traveled the world budget solo so I am used to being with people who don't speak English.
But, people everywhere were kind and I was always safe.
American tend to be afraid to leave unless they are protected by guides, groups, gated living. Too bad.
Ah, the stamina of youth! I went to a place of peace in my heart hearing of your experience on 5th Avenue. As a child growing up in Chicago, my loving Aunt used to take us down to State Street to view the windows of Marshall Field's as darkness set in. Pure magic! Joyous holidays to all; we can continue to be our best selves as we move through the next four years.
I was born in Chicago and lived in Wilmette until age 11, and my grandparents would come from Cedar Rapids to take me Christmas shopping at Marshall Fields! There was a Fanny Farmer store with a giant dancing Fanny marionette in her red and white striped guard house on the outside corner of the store, and I always loved seeing her. Thank you for reminding me!
I applaud you, Mary, along with your brother, on speaking out against the danger that your uncle poses (again) to this country. It cannot have been easy. Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2025 for us all. 🙏🏻🎄🎁
Merry Christmas!
Remember this:
On November 5, Americans chose:
Lies over truth,
Ignorance over knowledge,
Chaos over order,
Malice over good will,
Division over unity,
Cowardice over courage,
Sleaze over character,
The criminal over the law,
Billionaires over ordinary people.
Proud to be a liberal woman, now more than ever!
Proud to wear this totally unhinged radical liberal t-shirt in front of Republicans 👇
https://libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/radlib
The next four years will require a lot of hard work from all of us!
I could not have stated this any better, except I am not a liberal woman LOL! The chaos has already started, based on his reckless choices for the cabinet. This is Donald adding his PS to a crusade by extending the middle finger. A ruthless individual without a conscience, but America is a strong nation and we will survive. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all that celebrate.
Ha, yes!
This might have some clue:
https://solhn.substack.com/p/charming-charlatans-how-political?r=3ntuut
Sol, your precious words are behind a pay wall that I can’t afford to get through.
Brilliant!! It’s TRUTH!!!!!!!!!
Here's a Christmas present I know you will enjoy. And please pass it on!
https://kathleenweber.substack.com/p/you-cant-get-good-help-anymore
Thanks for the heads up. I’m a lonely wandering Jew without family. They were all liquidated in the Holocaust. My parents somehow survived. Your uncle gives me PTSD. He’s a Fascist dictator and as I spend my holiday in solitude glad my parents aren’t alive to witness what’s going to happen. This is not my country!
Leah there are more of us then you can imagine I remember my grandmother saying as if it was yesterday to “pay attention “ that in our lives Hitler will return” she felt very strongly that Hitler would never die. She was a survivor of a concentration camp I was a child and didn’t understand now I’m 69 and do understand every word she taught us it’s a combination of belief,hope yes courage but most importantly to Unite she use to say that all the money and power in the world could never take our thoughts and hopes I watched today my grandchildren some are Jewish some are Christian some are nature believing in belief yet for the first time I saw that it didn’t matter what their religion it was their strength to celebrate as one. I guess that we will all have to stand to the test for freedom my 18 year old grandson said that he and his friends think it’s no time for hero’s it’s time for all of us to stand together each equal no matter what path we have walked. I believe little by little we will see this come to fruition this year.
Carin, I sincerely hope your belief in fruition comes true this year. My father escaped Łódź Poland and survived Nazis by lowering himself out of a train, dropping back in a march pretending he was a plain clothes Nazi. My mother ran with one of her sisters from Hungary cleaning houses to survive. She didn’t share too many horrors, but she saw one sister with her baby being gassed in a truck.
These things affect the very core of our humanity. It’s collectively grown in the DNA of those that suffer every day from brutal attacks and abuse.
I’ve felt it first hand from my own family.
My father also told me hate would never end. Jews would be persecuted again and again. Each generation carries the seeds of hate.
I never noticed hate even in my thirties and on up I saw plenty of dislikes it wasn’t till Trump came that friends neighbors that I loved and respected in my life started following Trump to my shock. I began so slowly understanding my grandmother she was the one of the few of survivor’s by sympathetic Nazi soldiers and then priest got her to America her family was from Amsterdam the Nazis would go neighborhood by neighborhood if you were wealthy or had real estate they wanted you were shoved into a truck with a star and eventually a tattoo regardless if you were a Jew or not she told us that many thought they be saved once they reached the gates but no one cared there was no one to straighten it out they died by the thousands while she was in the camp she told us that it filled daily with people who were so called undesirable many would still sit and praise Hitler they thought it was a mistake that Hitler would save them till their death I look at MAGA as a historical repeat of them. I can understand now that there was no talking to convince them what Trump is. My grandmother said that we must focus on the small things every day can bring joy to our lives that we must never believe of bringing major changes by ourselves that our community is as far as we should concentrate and of course unity. I have to wonder if there are millions of Holocaust survivors grandchildren such as you and I ? We were all taught in many different ways how to survive if hate came again perhaps it would be a worthy goal to start reaching out to gathering just the private family stories. A lot of people ignore the stories I tell them but to be sure those of us that were raised with survivors KNOW better.
Carin, this is a deeply moving reflection. Your grandmother’s story carries so much weight—her wisdom about focusing on small joys and building unity in the face of unimaginable hate feels like such a powerful guide, even today. The way she saw the blind loyalty around her, even as people suffered, is such a haunting parallel to the divisions and unwavering beliefs we see now.
The idea of gathering private family stories is incredibly profound. These stories are living history, and they remind us of what can happen when hate goes unchecked. It’s not just about remembering—it’s about learning. You’re right that those raised by survivors carry a unique perspective, one that understands both the fragility and strength of humanity in ways others might overlook.
Do you think sharing these stories more widely could help bridge some of the divides we’re seeing today? Maybe they could serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how easily we could fall back.
Yes
You have it. I’m a 2nd gen survivor and daughter of Orthodox Jews. As a woman I was a second class citizen in my own family. My mother passed in 1969. This had a huge effect on my life. Without a parent or mentor I had to go solo. My brother was abusive. My father was absent. I am lost. I can’t find my fishbowl.
Leah. I stand by you and Carin.
Darlene, I appreciate that more than you know.
Yes.
Leah, I'm not Jewish and my family were founding ( anti- democratic masonic ) fathers and my family has also passed away and I feel exactly as you do..this isn't my country because Republicans are still too chicken, Democrats not strong enough to make equality for the majority ( women) of the population and 55% of voters and women don't act in their own self interest in sufficient quantity to stop the destructive pseudo Christian right. So I'm making plans to live abroad in a country where women are equal under the constitution, life is half the cost, health care is a human right. And frankly I fault Biden for not making women's rights a priority, and supporting the genocidal patriarchy in Israel. I'm also not Palestinian but they are people and their homeland has been brutally occupied and decimated. Just know that many more people than Jews are and feel alone and at risk these days. You are not alone in that way.
Hannah, well done. I wish I could leave this country as well, but I’m too old and tired. The stress would kill me. I’m just holed up in my women’s cave making my own world and if that includes shutting out the world than so be it. I hope all people of the world find some peace and relief in the coming years somewhere…over the rainbow.
Hannah, I too have been making plans to find another country in which to live. I speak French but things are a mess over there as well. So now I am teaching myself Spanish on Duolingo. I was looking for a country with an expat population and a lower cost of living since I'm a retired teacher. I settled on Panama after the election. I know! Couldn't believe it when the former guy, and soon to be present guy, started saber-rattling against Panama. I have nothing to keep me here. I am a childless cat lady and they consider us a threat to the country although I doubt they will come rounding us up. But I want to be part of the resistance from abroad. I just cannot abide the hatred and cruelty of Maga.
My son’s in-laws just moved to Belize and by the end of next year he and his family will join them. It amazes me that John Hopkins has built several hospitals in South America my daughter n law will use the one in Panama they have connected in Belize its real healthcare system with no outlandish cost. I graduated from nursing school in 1973 but in my day John Hopkins in Baltimore held all the top research doctors and were beyond leading in medicine . Not sure what exactly it is today. It doesn’t surprise me that they saw the writing on the wall way way back
I am 85, moved to Merida, Mexico in 2010. Fine health care. Affordable housing. Help for cleaning and garden work. $25 for 4 hours, which is high for here. No chance of getting shot in the grocery store. Many Spanish speaking countries to chose from. If I were younger, I would relocate to Colombia. I like to new and different.
LEAVE the USA!
Thanks for your post. I ,too want to go to another country ,but do not know where. Any one have ideas of the best place to live. I am very serious about this idea.. Suggestions please from you.
My ancestors came here in 1638 from Sweden, served in every war that America was involved. Patriots all, but it is , and will not be a good country to live in after Jan. 2025. Tell me where I can go to live that is not so expensive. I do not have lots of money.
Start visiting them. Not as a tourist. Stay in hostels. Ask questions.
Bonnie, I do not have suggestions for where you might best live but I sense your despair and wish you comfort and connection.
Mary has provided us with a lively group of intelligent, compassionate travelers. 💫
⚜️Hope⚜️
Your not alone !
We have NOTHING in common with America / Red states! And maga / republican fascists!
Over half the population!
My country is California , for now.
We have welcomed the Trumph virus 🦠 into our home via a cmon in or indifference!
The disease will be horrific!
You are not alone!
Not my country either. Where would you move in your senior years?
Exactly! Happy Hanukkah 🕎
I feel the same re: This is not my country
He also cause me serious pain and suffering. My depression took a very hard downward turn after the election and holidays during which he caused more worry and upheaval. I’m alone no family and I don’t know that I can survive Donald’s evil. I wish my life away because there is no hope
Don't forget Genocide Joe. Maybe not a fascist dictator...but, even a 'nice guy" can be very very bad.
😰😰😰
Your walk up and down 5th Avenue sounds delightful. What a lovely memory…🎄
🧡🎄
Merry Christmas, Mary!
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
—Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol in Prose
Merry Christmas Mary and all kinds of wishes and gratitude towards you !
A book I enjoyed this year was your latest book. Thank you for sharing your story! I felt your pain and admire you so much for standing up to the narcs in your family. You are a true shero! I wish you a wonderful new year! Despite the jerks in this world we still have good books, music and coffee!
Cherilyn...your word " shero " should be forever written in The Book of Feminist Rights ! Well done, dear lady...Spot On!🤗
I learned it from Maya Angelou. A true Shero in every sense of the word!
...a rose by any other.name..🤗
Indeed!
Amen, Sister Cherilyn! I thank the Powers That Be for books, and lately ebooks! I am stuck in bed 90% of the day, with degenerative disc disease and fibromyalgia. I would have died without my Kindle/tablets that keep me in books on demand and keep me connected to people like everyone here. Blessings on you all ❤️🕎❤️🎄😘
Paula...YOU are a Blessing to us all, my dear lady!.🤗
And YOU are just the sweetest person!
You never know happiness until it’s passed. Anonymous
May you have great memories and good health from this day forward!
It’s that time of year when the world falls in love! Best wishes to you dear Mary🎄🎅
You're one of those who brighten my world. Merry Christmas Mary!
Merry 🎄 Merry ⭐️ Mary
May you be surrounded with enough love and joy this Christmas that it sustains you through what promises to be the most fractious New Year. Thank you for being you and speaking the hard truth that the corporate media shamefully ignores. Sending love from Canada. (We have snow !) ❄️🩵✨
I miss snow too and I’m in Canada!
I think it was 15 years ago that we had the last bunch of snowstorms....we were buried and then buried on top of that, and it was so beautiful and serene. I could still take walks then, and I loved bundling up and plunging through the deep snow...it was so quiet! No traffic at all. I could almost believe I had left the city.
I really miss that too, Mary.
tELL ME ABOUT CANADA, please. I am thinking about another country to live in. I am old and with very little money but I do not want to live in USA. NOW. My family has been here since the beginning and served faithfully but we have never had such a disagreeable leader.
Where in Canada is best. British Columbia perhaps. Your opinion please.
Mexico!
Judith Dyer---Thanks--Tell me about Mexico. I do not speak Spanish but guess could learn. Is it safe in certain parts. Where would be best area. to live? Thanks again for the post.
Bonnie Reeves, I can't tell you about a whole country. You should take trips, stay in hostels where people will actually speak to you. Those who aren't just doing their phones. People of all ages from other countries.
I live in Merida which is safe but now very hot and humid 7 months a year.
My Spanish is limited to words, I have a decent vocabulary...not complete sentences. Locals are very tolerant so there is communication. I have traveled the world budget solo so I am used to being with people who don't speak English.
But, people everywhere were kind and I was always safe.
American tend to be afraid to leave unless they are protected by guides, groups, gated living. Too bad.
And to you, too, good lady. Be happy, and be safe!
Yes!
Ah, the stamina of youth! I went to a place of peace in my heart hearing of your experience on 5th Avenue. As a child growing up in Chicago, my loving Aunt used to take us down to State Street to view the windows of Marshall Field's as darkness set in. Pure magic! Joyous holidays to all; we can continue to be our best selves as we move through the next four years.
I was born in Chicago and lived in Wilmette until age 11, and my grandparents would come from Cedar Rapids to take me Christmas shopping at Marshall Fields! There was a Fanny Farmer store with a giant dancing Fanny marionette in her red and white striped guard house on the outside corner of the store, and I always loved seeing her. Thank you for reminding me!
❤️
Merry Christmas Mary!
Happy Holidays Mary, thanks for all you do to keep us informed.
Merry Christmas, Mary. I Love You