“Let us slow down enough to truly notice all that is presenting itself to us as a blessing.”
—Kristi Nelson
We were invited guests at the home of our dear friends Lucy and Larry Fried for a Sabbath meal (Shabbat in Hebrew), along with the Brenners, Brodskys, Hamiltons, Weinzimmers, Alchecks, Phillip Engleman and son Jonathan. As the sun goes down on Friday evening, the Shabbat candles are lit. It’s a time to allow all the concerns of the day and the week to fade away, creating the space for an intimate evening of joy, peace and rest and relaxation to take place. The weekly day of rest has no parallel in any other ancient civilization. As a non-Jew I have had the privilege to be a “honorary part of the tribe,” if you will of this great tradition beginning in the early years of my courtship with Cecile. Other than our immediate family, there is no place I enjoy celebrating these special occasions more than at the home of our gracious hosts Lucy and Larry.
We had appetizers and wine while getting caught up on our lives. It is an active group that loves celebrating milestone events with family and friends, including our love of travel. Before our main meal, our Israeli friend Elie recited the Kiddush, a ritual blessing over the wine to sanctify the event. The food was sumptuous and plentiful. We each brought a side dish.
The ambiance was inviting and festive. After dinner we had a rich chocolate layer cake with fresh whipped cream from “Icing on the Cake" brought by Marleen and Mark Brodsky in honor of Cecile’s birthday. The lights were turned down as we sang Happy Birthday…Rather than blowing out the candles in the traditional way, Cecile clapped her hands together several times over the candles like a “magician” allowing the dispersed air to extinguish the flames. An elder cousin taught her this technique to prevent the spread of bacteria that blowing the candles causes—especially when you get older. I know TMI🙂. But, as a retired doc it made sense to me🙂.
As I looked at the table settings, I noticed a line of persimmons with a branch of green leaves placed equidistant along the length of the table. They were from a tree in Lucy and Larry's back yard. I meant to tell Lucy that they are a sign of personal transformation. Persimmons are one of those sweet exotic orange fruits often referred to as "Fruit of the Gods. In China they are used to regulate one’s chi’i (energy) and is a symbol of joy. There were also vases of sunflowers spaced out along the table which represent rays of sunshine that uplift a room and a reminder of the source of life and all that is good—including friendship. Sunflowers say, “I adore you.”
