Happy Hannuka

Many years ago I got very, very, very sick. Couldn't get well, no matter what I did. When I dragged myself out of the cold, grey winter to swim with dolphins in Eilat they bit me.

As a last resort I'd taken 'A Course in Miracles' to read. One morning I got to the beach early - reading, quiet, peaceful, fine The beach began to fill up - a couple with a tinny transistor radio; a dog scattering sand; a woman smoking close by; a gang of kids lighting a fire; children screaming; people eating foul-smelling food. Nightmare.

Under my breath I cursed every one of them. The book recommended blessing. Through gritted teeth I silently blessed each object of irritation till I had no more blessing in me. Disgusted with humanity, with myself, with God and The Course, with life, I swam away; a long way out to a sunbathing raft. More peace, quiet, hot sun, the lull of the swell, no-one but me. Waves of love, waves of fear washed through me. I wondered where the fear came from. I love the sea, it's much more my element than land.

Two lads climbed onto the raft, chattering and pointing to a commotion on the far side of the bay. We could just make out lifeguards racing to drag a figure to shore, blue lights and sirens as the ambulance made its slow climb to the clinic. This lack of speed was not a good sign, they said. I dozed on till the sun was high overhead then swam back to shore.

Clambering up the steep shelf at the water's edge I registered people rising to their feet one after the other, pointing, coming towards me, some starting to run, looked like the whole beach was on the move. Red Sea. Exodus. What the ... ? Then shouting 'You're alive. You live. You've come back. It's a miracle.' The crowd embraced me, cheering and clapping, patting me on the back, shaking my hand, shaking their heads, laughing with joy and delight.

Eventually I understood that a blonde tourist, in a black swimsuit had drowned. The police combing the beach for some clue to her identity had found my belongings, abandoned they thought. In true Jewish fashion these despised people had been lamenting my demise.

Blessings all and bless us all, I say. Can't hurt (apart from the teeth grinding).

The CIM lesson was 'Your resurrection is your awakening.' Indeed. Might as well have been 'Your awakening is your resurrection.'

Happy Hannukah blessings to Blippers everywhere and thanks to kendallishere for triggering this memory.