“The parents of 10-year-old Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubio—one of 19 children killed by a gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde—testified virtually before a June 8 U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence.”
We have had the fortuitous opportunity to share time with grandchildren for what is now almost 17 years. Whaaaat? Yes, from baggies of cheerios to drivers permits we have kvelled all the way through. From day 1 we took an oath of safety first. Nothing got in the way of crossing streets, holding hands in museums and eyes on the prize every precious minute. One of our best takeaways were sleepovers.

We would close the blinds and it would be the stars, the moon and Us. “More french toast”- coming right up.

Very Best of times. 

Yesterday the good times continued as we celebrated a right of passage a “zimrah,” a musical celebration.

Good-bye kindergarten, hello first grade. Grateful, gracious and lucky in more than one way as we have come to learn.  

Cut to Oct 18, 2018 Shabbat morning at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. A day of prayer in a random synagogue engaging in a sermon of prayers and gratitudes. An assailant stormed in Nazi style and committed the deadliest rampage against a Jewish Community in our country’s history. The murderer’s life was spared and he was deemed in “stable” condition. As far from the truth as can be imagined. We are positioned as we enter a school, a house of worship, a sports or entertainment arena to now wonder if we will walk out.

We are mired in prayer today choosing to focus with eyes who spent formative years in the 1960’s when we walked into a Shabbat service, our school, the bowling alley, or the local candy store and banked on leaving with more than we came in with. And no Lexi Aniyah Rubio never got her ice cream. BH