Erev Rosh Hashanah: On Gratitude.

      It's amazing how many times we second guess ourselves. How often we worry as parents. Are we doing the right thing for our children? Can I raise them to become loving, stable, self assured adults? Will they grow to embrace Torah, love G-d, hold a stable relationship full of warmth and kindness? Will they be able to understand and feel the depth and passion of not just their own emotions but of others as well, perhaps a significant other? Will they be able to embrace the trials and tribulations that life throws at them and become stronger from it? Or, heaven forbid, will they begin to feel it's easier to simply let go and search for what may seemingly look like an easier path, but it's one without growth, without a passion for life and Torah. 

      As we come closer the the new year, I am overwhelmed with all that I want to pray for. Instead I sit down and I thank G-d for all that we have. 

Thank you Hashem for giving me another day of life.

Thank you for blessing me with energy, to be able to think clearly, breath, see, and walk on my own. 

Thank you for my husband, my children and for giving me the gift of embracing life with them.

Thank you for your beautiful Torah and guiding our way of life.

Thank you for our home, food, clothing, running water, washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum and working appliances.

Thank you for helping me to slowly become more patient with my children.

Thank you for easy labor, delivery and recoveries.

Thank you for guiding us in raising our children.

Thank you for Shalom Bayis, health, simcha and laughter.

Thank you for wiping my tears and holding my hand through our challenging times.

Thank you for loving and supportive parents and grandparents, for my dear siblings, and knowing the gift of having a wonderful family. 

Thank you for all of the support you have given us for Sruly, for teachers who love him, for family who   adores him, for his growth and progress, but most of all for the gift of raising him with you.

Thank you for each and every one of our children, for the opportunity of raising them together with you and my husband. 

Thank you for all of the tests you have so carefully chosen and given us.

I hope and I pray that in this coming new year we are blessed to be given a year full of life, laughter, simcha, joy, health, strength and wisdom.

May we be inscribed in the book of life, and be able to dance with Moshiach speedily in our days. 

Amen and L'chayim!