There are a few holidays both the Jews and Catholics have in common and of course, Thanksgiving is one of them. Obviously we all know the story of Thanksgiving and in theory what it is supposed to mean. But how many of us really take the time to reflect and act on its basic principles - to give and be grateful. How many of us do it everyday?
This is a challenge Seth and I have. Although we don't always succeed (trust me there are plenty of days that I lose it over not being able to find my keys or let a little road rage ruin my morning) we try to remember it and more importanly practice it everyday. I know Noah doesn't understand yet, but we always say thank you to the men and women we see in uniform whether they be in the military or serving in our communities as police or firemen and we always say a prayer when we see an accident or someone on the streets- a prayer both to watch over them and a prayer of thanks for our blessings. It's funny because I think God has a way of reminding us of Thanksgiving everyday. It seems to be when I am saying something unkind about a fellow driver as I sit in my own warm car with some sort of latte in the cup holder, that I see a mom pushing her two small children in the cold towards the bus stop or a man who obviously spent the night on the streets. And then I am reminded. I am reminded to give and be thankful and we don't have to be in a temple or church to practice that.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
How it all began- softball, stoplights and God
Seth and I met playing softball. It certainly wasn't where I expected to meet my husband nor do I think it's where he expected to meet his wife. But we did and it's been great.
Neither one of us was necessarily looking for a serious relationship. He was dating someone else and in a casual conversation had mentioned how important it was to him and his family that he marry someone Jewish. I wasn't necessarily opposed to marrying someone outside of my religion but always somehow managed to meet nice Catholic boys. My religion was important to me and being Catholic was an important part of my identity. Thus, it just seemed to me that my children would experience religion through the Catholic Church.
We had been dating for just a couple of months and I remember this moment as well as I remember how he proposed to me. We were stopped at a light and I had realized within a few weeks of us dating, that this was more than just a casual fling. We connected in a way I had never known or quite frankly ever imagined was possible. I know, very cheesy and over the top, but there is truly no other way to describe it. At that light, I finally just asked the dreaded question- "Where do you see this going?"
After a long discussion on how we felt about our religions and what was important to us as far as raising a family, we realized we both wanted the same thing. To have a family that honored God in our everyday life and to raise children, as simple as this sounds, who were good people.
We decided at this moment that if this relationship led to marriage, we would teach our children to know and respect both faiths and trust them to make their own decision at the point where they would normally have a confirmation or bar mitzvah.
And so as the saying it goes- that's how it all began...
Neither one of us was necessarily looking for a serious relationship. He was dating someone else and in a casual conversation had mentioned how important it was to him and his family that he marry someone Jewish. I wasn't necessarily opposed to marrying someone outside of my religion but always somehow managed to meet nice Catholic boys. My religion was important to me and being Catholic was an important part of my identity. Thus, it just seemed to me that my children would experience religion through the Catholic Church.
We had been dating for just a couple of months and I remember this moment as well as I remember how he proposed to me. We were stopped at a light and I had realized within a few weeks of us dating, that this was more than just a casual fling. We connected in a way I had never known or quite frankly ever imagined was possible. I know, very cheesy and over the top, but there is truly no other way to describe it. At that light, I finally just asked the dreaded question- "Where do you see this going?"
After a long discussion on how we felt about our religions and what was important to us as far as raising a family, we realized we both wanted the same thing. To have a family that honored God in our everyday life and to raise children, as simple as this sounds, who were good people.
We decided at this moment that if this relationship led to marriage, we would teach our children to know and respect both faiths and trust them to make their own decision at the point where they would normally have a confirmation or bar mitzvah.
And so as the saying it goes- that's how it all began...
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