In honor of Noah Pozner:
Today our cleaning lady came by herself. Usually she comes with her son. It takes her a lot longer when she comes by herself. So I left her $10 extra.
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Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Cheer
Act #2 in honor of you, Charlotte Bacon:
Spent the morning at Children's Healthcare sorting gift bags and giving gifts to the patients in the hospital. I think we have done it about 7 times in the last 10 years. It's always a sobering experience but especially so this year.
It's always a breath holding experience walking into the NICU, TICU, and PICU. I'm always thankful for my four healthy children and will hope and pray for the best for the children and families there.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Spent the morning at Children's Healthcare sorting gift bags and giving gifts to the patients in the hospital. I think we have done it about 7 times in the last 10 years. It's always a sobering experience but especially so this year.
It's always a breath holding experience walking into the NICU, TICU, and PICU. I'm always thankful for my four healthy children and will hope and pray for the best for the children and families there.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, December 22, 2012
26 acts of kindness
It has been difficult for me to talk about the Connecticut shooting without getting choked up. Partly because I am the mom of a first grader. A first grader who attends public school. A public school in an affluent suburb. A public school with amazing teachers, a dedicated principal, and classrooms full of adorable lively children. Children that look just like the 20 pictures I've seen floating around Facebook and the news. I know what it's like to send my first grader off to school and give up my sense of control of what happens to her every day. I know that I fully expect her to get right back off the bus that I put her on. But what happens between those hours to her is out of my hands. Ever since that August day last year when she started school, I've tortured myself with the what ifs. It could have been me. But I can't understand the pain that 20 moms are feeling.
This was a response written by my rabbi.
"When facing tragedy Judaism doesn’t look for answers it looks for a response.
And Judaism’s response is twofold:
1. Express sympathy to the community and families in mourning. Let them know that they are not alone in their pain. We mourn together with them. This is the greatest source of comfort.
2. Channel the pain into positive action. We must become even more determined to bring goodness into this world as a result of the evil we have witnessed.
Share even more love with those you come into contact with, and they will share it with others. If everyone moved by this tragedy increases their love and acts of goodness and kindness we will introduce into the world a massive power of good, and that is the only response to such utter evil!"
So in honor of the 26 souls who are making their journey, I will do one act of kindness for each of them. I will not stop there and will commit to continue those acts long after the 26 so that I can do my small part in bringing some goodness into the world. Hopefully also my children will see this and will learn to do their own acts of kindness.
#1 - yesterday I purchased coffee for the person behind me in line at Starbucks. That was some goodness for you Emilie Parker.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This was a response written by my rabbi.
"When facing tragedy Judaism doesn’t look for answers it looks for a response.
And Judaism’s response is twofold:
1. Express sympathy to the community and families in mourning. Let them know that they are not alone in their pain. We mourn together with them. This is the greatest source of comfort.
2. Channel the pain into positive action. We must become even more determined to bring goodness into this world as a result of the evil we have witnessed.
Share even more love with those you come into contact with, and they will share it with others. If everyone moved by this tragedy increases their love and acts of goodness and kindness we will introduce into the world a massive power of good, and that is the only response to such utter evil!"
So in honor of the 26 souls who are making their journey, I will do one act of kindness for each of them. I will not stop there and will commit to continue those acts long after the 26 so that I can do my small part in bringing some goodness into the world. Hopefully also my children will see this and will learn to do their own acts of kindness.
#1 - yesterday I purchased coffee for the person behind me in line at Starbucks. That was some goodness for you Emilie Parker.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Nine Nights of Hanukkah
Yes, I am well aware that Hanukkah is only eight nights. But since Ben was not with us for nights seven and eight, we decided to have a ninth night. Plus, we weren't home for the last two nights so we didn't get to see our menorahs all lit up. And with the weekend full of saddness and darkness surrounding the ultimate tragedy in Connecticut, we wanted to fully experience the miracle of Hanukkah and see the bright menorahs. So we had Needle Night Nine.
All throughout Hanukkah, we talked with the kids about the story of Hanukkah, what it means, and the spirit of the season. We tried very hard not to make it about the presents. Don't get me wrong, they got PLENTY of presents. Far beyond what they could ever need or even want. But of course, it is exciting for them to open presents and get cool things. We just want to instill the giving and the spirit rather than the tangible gifts that really have no connection. You can do what do and hope that somehow the message makes it through their 2, 4, and 6 year old heads.
As we were lighting our full menorahs, I asked them, "so guys what is Hanukkah about?". I was hoping that I wouldn't regret asking the question by getting an answer I really didn't want to hear (i.e., presents). Simultaneously, Max and Alexis replied. Alexis said, "family" and Max said, "miracles". Hallelujah, we did our job. Yes, it is about family and miracles. Maizy didn't have a response, but I did ask her yesterday morning what was the best part about Hanukkah and she said, "the candles". I'll take that too.
Here they are on the first night of Hanukkah 2012:
All throughout Hanukkah, we talked with the kids about the story of Hanukkah, what it means, and the spirit of the season. We tried very hard not to make it about the presents. Don't get me wrong, they got PLENTY of presents. Far beyond what they could ever need or even want. But of course, it is exciting for them to open presents and get cool things. We just want to instill the giving and the spirit rather than the tangible gifts that really have no connection. You can do what do and hope that somehow the message makes it through their 2, 4, and 6 year old heads.
As we were lighting our full menorahs, I asked them, "so guys what is Hanukkah about?". I was hoping that I wouldn't regret asking the question by getting an answer I really didn't want to hear (i.e., presents). Simultaneously, Max and Alexis replied. Alexis said, "family" and Max said, "miracles". Hallelujah, we did our job. Yes, it is about family and miracles. Maizy didn't have a response, but I did ask her yesterday morning what was the best part about Hanukkah and she said, "the candles". I'll take that too.
Here they are on the first night of Hanukkah 2012:
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