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First kiss

Because of the amount of time I spent in Colorado this past fall, my grandson Liam, who was 18 months old at the time, really bonded with me. Liam learned a lot of new things during this time. He learned to give kisses. The first time we were showing his mommy, Austyn said, “Liam, can I have a kiss?” Liam leaned over and kissed me. Austyn cried and I cherished the moment.

Liam flew back to California with me on two occasions. On one of our flights back to Colorado, Liam and I were sitting in the back of the plane surrounded by empty seats, just how Neenee likes it. The beverage cart on the airplane was a wonderful discovery for Liam. That cart is a treasure chest. There are plastic cups that can stack and make a tower. The soda can top that makes a fun noise when dropped into the can; sharing Neenee’s(what he calls me)  Ginger ale, playing with ice cubes and the water puddles left after the ice cubes melt.

On this particular trip, Liam saw the beverage cart being rolled out. He almost fell out of his seat and into the isle as he watched it pass. On its return, the flight attendant – a very attractive young woman – shared a few words with Liam. When I say attractive, I mean beautiful; with or without make-up beautiful. When her tasks were completed, she made her way back to chat with us. As she leaned against the back of the seat in front of us, I caught a glimpse of Liam. His lips were puckered up and he was leaning forward, aiming right at her. Clearly Liam felt that she was worthy of a “Neenee kiss.”

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You’re mean

I was informed by my grandson that there exists those who refer to me as mean. It’s not the first time he has felt the need to relay such information. The conversation went something like this…and by the way, the names have been changed to protect the guilty…I didn’t want to come across as too mean!

Chase: Grandma Jeannie, Jenny says you’re mean.

Me: Really?

Chase: Ya, she says you’re mean. (Clearly it was important for him to get the message across.)

Me: Well Chase, there are two kinds of mean. There is the mean where you are just a nasty person and you try to hurt other people and say bad things about them and are mean to them. Then, there are those who are mean because they want others to follow rules so that they and those around them stay safe.

Chase: That’s not mean!

Me: I know. But if you are someone who doesn’t want to follow the rules than you would think it’s mean. It’s OK that they think I’m mean. I’m OK with that.

Chase: Can we go to McDonalds?

Me: Not today, we don’t have time.

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Judge not lest you be judged

I heard this statement quoted frequently growing up in the church.  It typically was used when criticisms were flying around. I think a lot of us heard it. The problem that I have begun to be aware of, is that used incorrectly, this statement prevents us from making sound judgments about things that are truly wrong or for that matter, harmful.

If I see a person who is doing something wrong (and by this I mean an act that is clearly evil) as soon as I compare myself to them and say,”I am no better,” I not only lose the perspective of what is evil but I also lower my opinion of myself, which for most who think this way isn’t very high to begin with. I wonder if this philosophy has contributed to the amount of abuse in our world; individuals not only feeling victimized but also feeling unworthy.

There exists another element in all of this; we know that everyone is redeemable. However, does seeing the good in everyone prevent us from holding people accountable? Accountable…I don’t recall hearing that term growing up, especially in church.

Is that the connection? “Judge not” used incorrectly prevents accountability?

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Seder 2011

The table was set. Yarmulkes were worn. The wine was poured and the Seder began. Finger puppets told of the ten plagues. Blessings were read and questions asked. Matzah was broken and parsley dipped.

When it was time for the meal to be served, the lamb was amazing. The rum soaked raisins made the Apple Kugel  taste fantastic. The cardamon made the rice seem like a new creation.

This years Seder differed from all the others. Around our table were eight adults and five children. Two of these children were in high chairs and one went between being held and swinging in her sing. The two-year old cried when we read in unison.  So each unison reading was done with big smiles and cheerful voices, it didn’t help.The five year old decided he wasn’t hungry shortly into the festivities and headed back out side to play. The Rugrats episode of Passover played telling the Passover story in a whole new way.

Rabbi Hoppie (Grandpa Jeff) lead us in this years Seder. It was crazy. It was noisy. It was interrupted when bottles needed to be made or diapers changed or children in need of rescuing from the big furry dog (or the other way around)…all in all it was a huge success and the best one ever!

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Passover – 7 Elijah

There is an empty cup sitting in the middle of the table and an empty chair at the table. Both of these are reserved for Elijah.  Towards the end of the Seder we pour another cup of wine, this makes #4 and yes, you can handle it. We pour another cup and set it in the middle of the table—it’s for Elijah the Prophet.

It is now tradition to send the youngest male to open the front door to welcome Elijah. Our son Raun was the youngest male for a bit, but as we included friends and family in our Seder, this responsibility moves from child to child. This year Chase, Raun’s son and Liam, our daughter’s two year old will be assigned this task together.  I’m expecting that Liam will walk out the door given half the chance.

Why Elijah? Elijah the prophet comes to announce the imminent arrival of the final Exodus. This night is a night of protection. This night, we are not afraid of anything, for we are carried securely in His holy, gentle hand. We open the door in the middle of the night and we show that confidence, that deep trust that no harm will befall us. On that very first night of Passover in Egypt, we were redeemed on the merit of our trust that He would redeem us. Tonight, we will be liberated from this Egypt of the soul. Again, we must show our trust. Whatever He tells us to do, He does Himself. He told us to open our door on the night of Passover. So, tonight, He opens every door.

The conversation among the adults seating around the table is always the same during this act. Someone inevitably says, “What will we do if Elijah shows up?” Followed by, “Can I drink his wine?”

oy vey

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Passover – 6 Dayenu

My very favorite part of the Seder is reciting Dayenu. Dayenu means; it is enough for us.

DAYENU

How many favors has God bestowed upon us?

ALL

Had He brought us out from Egypt and not executed judgment against them,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He executed judgment against them and not destroyed their idols,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He destroyed their idols and not slain their first-born,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He given us their possessions, and not divided the sea for us,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He divided the sea for us and not brought us through it dry land,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He brought us through it dry land and not drowned our oppressors in it,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He drowned our oppressors in it and not sustained us in the wilderness forty years,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He sustained us in the wilderness forty years and not fed us manna,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He fed us manna and not given us the Sabbath,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He given us the Sabbath and not brought us to Mount Sinai,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He brought us to Mount Sinai and not given us the Torah,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He given us the Torah, and not brought us into the Land of Israel,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

Had He brought us into the Land of Israel and not built the Temple for us,

It would have been enough! DAYENU!

How much more so, multiplied many times, are the favors that God has bestowed upon us!

Leader

He brought us out from Egypt,

And executed judgment against the,

And destroyed their idols,

And slew their first-born,

And gave us their possessions,

And divided the sea for us,

And brought us through it dry land,

And drowned our oppressors in it,

And sustained us in the wilderness forty years,

And fed us manna, and gave us the Sabbath,

And brought us to Mount Sinai,

And gave us the Torah,

And brought us into the Land of Israel,

And built the Temple for us,

Where we could atone for all our sins.

As I recite this, I am changing the historical events with specific event in my own life. By the end of the prayer, I am so full of gratitude that I well up. You see, if God never does another thing for me – Dayenu – it is enough for me.