An End to This Horrific Week, Parshat Veyeira, and Children
The
East Coast is still reeling from Hurricane Sandy. Areas in NY such as the
Rockaways and Staten Island, as well as towns in New Jersey, are straining
to salvage whatever they can from their flooded homes. Their power is still weakly
wavering, they are waiting an hour for a pump of gas, and their grocery markets
can’t even supply basic items such as milk or flashlights (being that they’re
all sold out). As we’ve mentioned in a previous post, our hearts and thoughts
are with those who have suffered terribly as a result of this natural disaster.
It
seems as though the earth itself is sagging from the weight of her inhabitants’
financial, personal, and emotional turbulence and is reacting by “letting off
steam” or “blowing a fuse” (literally and
metaphorically). Obviously, Hurricane Sandy’s devastation is what mainly occupies
NY and its citizens. It occupies my mind as well. Yet, in midst of all this
chaos and calamity, I can’t help but think about another NY tragedy that occurred merely a week ago. I’m referring to
the unspeakable event that occurred in Manhattan involving a nanny, two young
children, and an unsuspecting mother returning home from work. I don’t want to
flicker a smile off your face and replace it with a grimace or a frown, but I don’t feel it’s respectful to proceed
forth in my blog without giving mention to this horrific action either. Our
hearts are still aching for the father and mother who have to endure this
immeasurable pain.
Over
the past few years, the news has been updating us about tragedies involving the
purest of the pure: children. Each time I hear a calamity regarding a child—I break.
Who doesn’t? Children are the dancing flicker of our eyes and the most wholesome
joy of our hearts. Even if you’re not a “kids person” per say, you still
realize the inimitable role they share in your life. Children won’t necessarily
educate us on the theory of relativity, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, or why we should support Romney instead of Obama (it’s kind
of our job to do that), but they do educate us on how
to live.
Hey, check it! This kid's wearing his Invisible Crown! (Can I hire him to advertise for this site?)
It’s quite disheartening to say, but I’ve yet to meet an adult
who possesses the same verve for life as a child does. Remember how as a
child you savored the sweetness of life? (I'm not referring to candy obsessions, but yes, that was also crucial to us children).
Yeah, you passionately despised the salmon you had to nibble at dinner
and the fact that you couldn’t get a Gameboy until Chanukah, but you loved—not
liked--being alive.
In this
week’s Parsha Vayeira, we read about
the sacrifice that Avraham Aveinu had to perform. He was required to relinquish
his own flesh and blood; the son that he had after 99 years. The Akeidah is a reminder for parents to relish the bond that they have with their children. We need to be
continually reminded about the fragility of children and the fact that they are
one of G-d’s most beautiful bestowals (even if they tantrum in a posh café while
the other customers’ eyes penetrate you, spill juice on your new dress, or staunchly
refuse to clean up their Crayolas).
Please
click on the following link from Thought Catalogue. If you are presently
occupied, then bookmark this for later. It’s called “The Ten Things We Did Better As
Kids.” When you read it, you’ll feel all
gooey and bubbly inside, because it will remind
you of childhood's perks...and who said you have
to grow up? Not me, and certainly not your inner Peter Pan.
P.S. I agree with all of the author's observations except for number 5. Umm...I don't know about you, but as a child, I did NOT like admiting I was wrong. Oh no. That did not happen.
SHABBAT SHALOM!
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
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