I realize that I have been quiet for almost a year, and for that, I apologize. You see, I am not a blogger in the sense that I write daily or anything, but one that will post when the right post comes about.
As we approach the holiday of Purim, my family readies themselves with all the preparations that go with any holiday. We learn about the holiday and then act upon what we have learned. We hunted for costumes for the children and got our Purim baskets organized (we order through our synaguage). The hubby and I made sure we had a babysitter for the adult party in the evening and we readied our souls (and kids) to sit through the melgillah reading, twice.
One thing NO ONE was prepared for was to end up being sad. You see, the real backbone of our community, Our Rebbetzin, passed away suddenly on the 10th of Adar II. She was 37 years old. She left a husband and 8 children behind (ages 2-14). While the family went to New York for the Levaya (funeral) and for Shiva (the 7 day mourning period), most of the community is still at home, in shock. A few people were able to fly out and be there with the family but the stories we hear back are unbelievable. There are no real words to describe what we are all feeling, never mind the family! (although we are one big family really).
I spent the entire night Tuesday/Wednesday morning awake in bed not able to sleep. My brain in total shock and not shutting down. In the morning I had to tell OUR kids what had happened. How do you tell your children that their close friends don’t have a mother any more? That someone THEY know well is gone forever? I knew I had to be strong but I also knew that they had to know it was ok to be sad. Through tears I sat them all down and told them how much I loved them all. I went on to tell them what had happened (Their friends Mom got really sick last night and Hashem decided it was her time to go). At first, no one reacted. As I continued to talk I had my special boy start to giggle and say “Nice story Mommy”. I took a minute for him to realize I wasn’t telling a story but telling them something true. We then discussed how When they get back from NY, they will truly needs friends. And yes, even though they are already friends, good friends will be there no matter what happens. “Even if they are mean to me Mommy??” (asked by the giggle boy) “Especially then. They have a right to be angry, sad and feel lost. They wont know when things will hit them and make them upset.”
I have had a couple days to let things sink in some now. And even as I write this, tears are streaming down my face. I didn’t know how much I had learned from my dear friend until it was too late to thank her. I am going to work hard at channeling some of her “super powers” into my every day life. Patience with my children is one of them. Homeschooling can make a parent SNAP very easily (especially when dealing with a special child in the mix). I am going to work on talking quietly and calmly with my children. I want only happy memories for them.
While finishing up our Purim lessons today (dedicated in my friends memory), We talked about the mitzvah of being happy, when my oldest asked “HOW do we be happy with the sadness that happened?”
What a tough question to answer. I responded with “Its a mitzvah, and we will work hard to fulfill it.”
I have spoken to my 10 year old about a lot of things over the last few days. He understands but I didn’t know how he really felt (he’s just asked questions). Kids understand more than we give them credit for, they just don’t always express feelings with statements. Sometimes we need to “read between the lines” and realize that the questions are a way to trying to tell us.
My eyes have been opened the last couple of days. I intend to look at the world in a whole different way and try to learn from it.
Rashi, we will miss you being with us in the physical world but you left your imprint on all of us. THANK YOU for teaching me so much and just being you.
——————————————–
( from collive.com)
The sentiment of continuing Rashi Minkowicz’s work was echoed in an email her 14-year-old son sent to COLlive on Thursday evening, in which he had a personal request for the community.
“In honor of my mother, I want to ask all of you to help my father with the campaign for our new Shul,” wrote Mendel Minkowicz. “My mother would be very happy if she saw this. Please help, and it will be in my mother’s honor.”
As a young Shliach, Mendel said while he cleared his public message with his father, “I want this to be a surprise so he will be so happy.”
Chabad of North Fulton has already begun their capital campaign to build on a property that has been purchased. The Mikvah has been built, and they have been raising money to build an adjacent center.
The building will be built to house the ongoing Chabad activities, with a large multi-purpose room which will be used as a Synagogue, assembly room and social hall. There will also be a teen lounge, two kitchens (meat and dairy), classroom wing (for the camp, Sunday school, preschool), and outdoor play area.
To help with the building campaign and continue Rashi Minkowicz’s legacy visit Chabadnf.org.
*hugs* to you Sis…