It’s that glorious
time of the year when the crape myrtle trees are in full bloom. I never saw
these trees any place but Baltimore although they’re known to grow throughout
the southeastern part of the country. Picture medium-sized trees laden with
large tufts of blossoms in gorgeous colors. When we moved here, I was simply
amazed when I first saw them. I’m used to seeing flowering trees in the
springtime, long before their leaves first appear. Crape myrtle trees only
start blooming in July but can continue into September. For a flower lover like
me, they are truly a sight to behold.
There are a lot of
wonderful things about living in Baltimore. I can’t get over the sunshine and
blue skies which are in abundance here. Yes, it surely gets hot and muggy, but
I hardly notice that as I go from my air-conditioned apartment to my
air-conditioned car. I feel badly for families with young children who need to
be outside more often than I do. I also felt badly for my mother when we lived
here in the early 60s.
My parents enjoyed
living in Baltimore for the short time they were here. My mother was expecting
my younger sister, and she related how uncomfortable she felt during that humid
summer. Homes weren’t air-conditioned back then, but she looked forward to
having her baby in complete air-conditioned comfort at the hospital. Before my
sister was born, my parents moved to the back of beyond, a small community
outside of Pittsburgh. As the story goes, it was just as shvitzing that summer in this new small town as it was in
Baltimore. But my mother held on to her air-conditioned dream for her baby’s
delivery. She wasn’t used to a small town and certainly didn’t know just how
behind the times these places can sometimes be. Unfortunately, her sweet and
cool bubble burst the moment she walked into the door of this tiny town’s
hospital, which had yet to install central air-conditioning. I can’t even
imagine it.
Warm weather
aside, Baltimore has a wonderful and large Jewish community. The people are
friendly and warm and as in most places, there are many organizations that are
geared toward learning and helping others.
Before I moved
here, I was happily ensconced in Cleveland. It was there that my husband and I
raised our children and where we were established in the community. I never
thought once about moving and certainly didn’t think I could be happier any place
else, until I moved to Baltimore that is.
Being in Baltimore
is like a breath of fresh air. It’s nice that we downsized into an apartment
and that I met plenty of women my age who have moved here and done the same.
It’s a large and diverse community with people of all ages. We’re thrilled to
have found a shul with welcoming members and a Rav whom we like.
I thought when I
first moved here that I would find friends right away and hoped they could be
solid friendships like I had made in the past. I soon realized that my old
friends cannot be replaced, nor do they need to be. I’ll always have those friends
whom I speak to sometimes more than once a day, but now I have new ones, too.
The old friendships I forged are from a different time and had a different
purpose. We raised our children together and grew up together. The new friends
I am making today are not from the building stage of long ago but, rather,
women of the same age who have a common denominator called life experience. We
are seeking companionship in our new lives as we grow older. I have a nice
group of friends here whom I see in my exercise classes and on Shabbos. Baruch Hashem, I am content.
Baltimore is our
home now and has been for the past several years. You’d think I’d be used to it
by now, but I can’t help but comment how grateful we are to be in such a
wonderful place. Between spending time here and visiting with our children
elsewhere, life is busy. What’s nice about it all is that, no matter where we
go or whom we visit, it’s coming up roses in Baltimore and I’m always happy to
come back home.
Zahava Hochberg
enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She can be reached at
zrspeech@gmail.com.
