Dear TBT family,
Reflecting on the recent season of Thanksgiving, I am deeply moved by the whirlwind of emotions over this past week. My extended family gathered 20 strong in Boston and had a beautiful Thanksgiving only to then rush to Washington, D.C. as my father-in-law entered hospice and then passed away. At this moment, I choose to focus on gratitude. I am grateful for my brother and his wife who host Thanksgiving every year and for my car that drove me over 900 miles this week. I am thankful for the good health of my husband, children, and parents, and for the kindness of hospice nurses. I am thankful for cornbread stuffing and for having the honor of holding Marv’s hand as he took his last breath. I am also especially thankful for the support and solidarity within our temple community.
It is times like this when it is especially obvious how important our Jewish home is. The strength of our community, evident in your care and empathy, has been a guiding light through these moments of darkness. My dear neighbor who is not Jewish talked to me after our service and said, “I am always jealous of the Jewish people. They know how to do death right.” We do. There was joy, sadness, celebration, love, songs, prayers, hugs, and lots and lots of food.
As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of Thanksgiving today and every day, recognizing and appreciating the value of gratitude. I often remind myself of a bumper sticker that caught my attention. It said, “Someone is praying for something that you are taking for granted.” Death teaches us to appreciate the here and now, to remember what is important, and to not worry about things that really don’t matter.
I am immensely grateful for each member of our TBT family and the friendship, traditions, and faith that connects us. Your continued support uplifts and strengthens us. May our ongoing journey together be filled with shared blessings and moments of profound gratitude.
Toda Raba,
Karen Goldberg