From a fun fashion show, to a Mar-a-Lago lunch expecting to see NYC Mayor Eric Adams, to a birthday celebration, nothing was more meaningful than to learn of the release of Israeli hostages.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as the network interrupted my favorite Sunday morning show on CBS to announce the release of three hostages was verified! While I wish all the hostages were released, at least the releases have begun.
Being the mother of four children, my heart aches thinking of the families whose hearts are torn apart, with family members living in captivity. It’s ironic that the Israeli hostages have been held longer than the Iranian hostages and their release happened as the U.S. presidency changed hands. I believe the double push of Biden and Trump made this release a reality.
With the inauguration of President Trump, I have great hopes that Israel can finally find peace. Time will tell!
In the meantime, I’m celebrating the release of the three women who are being brought back into the arms of their beloved families.
After the celebration of the Yunis Bat Mitzvah, I’m in Palm Beach for a few months. The warm weather feels so good and it’s wonderful to see old friends — and even make new ones.
I got word that Mayor Adams was coming to meet with the president at Mar-a-Lago, so I called my friend Ted Vasiliev, who has been a member there for decades, to have lunch and potentially meet up with Eric.
I’ve been to Mar-a-Lago several times; it is the old-world, elegant Merriweather Post Estate that the president bought and kept intact. It’s like stepping back into the “Roaring ‘20s.”
Ted and I chose a table overlooking the grand lobby. I remember being there a year ago with my grandson Jonah when President Trump walked into the lobby, saw Jonah and said, “Hi young man.” Jonah shook his hand and was thrilled to meet him. “You’re very handsome,” he said, leaving a lasting impression with Jonah, who became a Trump fan.
Our lunch seats overlooked the grand lawn that surrounds the property, with the ocean seen in the distance. We enjoyed each other and caught up on our lives and travels.
Ted has just come back from Vienna, where he has an apartment. I had traveled there with my late husband Stu and it is truly a picture perfect, historic, restored city. Ted invited me to come for what he calls a magical Christmas with Christmas markets filling the city, and I just might! He said it’s the most beautiful time of the year to be there.
As it turned out, Mayor Adams’ meeting was at the golf course, not at the main house, so we missed each other. I’m glad the mayor had an opportunity to meet the president to discuss our city’s issues and concerns before going to the inauguration.
I remember years back when Claire Shulman was Queens Borough President and Republican Rudy Giuliani was mayor. She found ways to work together and accomplished more than any borough president in the history of our city, getting more projects done and shovels in the ground to benefit the people in her beloved borough of Queens. Hopefully Mayor Adams’ trip will benefit all who love New York City.
Palm Beach is famous for its parties and my friends from the Hamptons celebrated Michelle Barnet’s birthday with a party thrown by her husband Steve. She’s a joyous person who seems to radiate love wherever she goes.
The party was held at the popular Boca Raton Polo Club and I had the bonus of going with my friend Donna Schneier and meeting two new extraordinary women who were Michelle’s friends.
Closing out the week was a fun fashion show by the talented New York designer Frederick Anderson, whose friends and admirers appreciated his creations as models pranced around the pool.
To be continued…
Love to you, my dear readers.
