Captured In The Heart

What do you see through your rose-colored glasses?

Strawberries with a Smile!

There were many great images from the Strawberry Festival Sunday two weeks ago.  John Roman broke out the rose-colored glasses to inspire our imaginative thinking.  Strawberries, ice cream and chocolate sauce were served up with a smile.  And, of course, there was that marvelous spread that always transpires when Rock Springers are invited to bring a dish to share.  This time it was supplemented by lots of good stuff coming off the grill from YoRS.

Much of this was captured on camera, but I think my favorite image of the day was not.  It was an image that was captured in my heart.  The image I am referring to happened not in Carpenter Hall at the Strawberry Festival, but in worship earlier in the morning. 

The Spread

Communion was served by intinction that Sunday (meaning we invite everyone forward to receive).   One young child, after receiving communion with her family, returned to her seat and stood between her parents, on her pew.  I watched as she stood on tip toe, leaning forward, straining to see all of the other people in the congregation come forward to receive the gift she had just taken.  Watching this young girl, her face lit up with expectancy and joy, helped me enter the experience more fully.

Occasionally, I will hear adults suggest that a child is too young to understand communion.  Often, I think it is adults who have the most difficulty because we try to use our head too much and overload ritual with doctrine.  Clearly, this young child experienced, "take, eat, this is for you" as an act of love, generosity, and abundance.  It is a mental image I will cherish in my heart.

Telling Stories

I always think it is a good problem when we have to add tables and chairs, which was what we did last night as more than 70 people arrived for the Seder meal at Rock Spring.  Although "meal" doesn't quite capture it.  This was a feast!  Here was the menu:

Mazto Ball Soup
Leg of Lamb
Beef Brisket
Roast Chicken
Noodle Kugel
Tsimis
Green Salad
Brownies with Banana Ice Cream
Pareve Lemon Bars
Pound Cake

Mouths were watering as each dish arrived and was set on the table.  The anticipation set in as we began to experience the Seder, a Jewish ritual that typically takes place in homes.   We each received a copy of the Haggadah, which contains the Seder service and involves (in part) children asking questions of their elders about the history from slavery to freedom.  The evening is marked with many fun traditions, climaxing with the great hunt for the hidden matzah!

The stories we tell, and the rituals that become important to us, say much about who we are and who we strive to become.  What are the great stories you want to bring to life for your family and the people you love? 

As I left last night I thought about all of the effort that went into these wonderful dishes and the care that must take place in every step of the Seder to capture our imagination with these wonderful rituals.  Yet, it is just this care and effort and creativity that helps children (and adults) remember stories well and yearn to retell them.

Many thanks to Hank, Christian Ed and YoRS for setting a wonderful table for us last night.