Like so many Jewish people, I approach Yom Kippur as a day to “get through.” Although I no longer fast, all around me at services, I sense hunger and thirst. As compared to Rosh Hashanah when we celebrate the New Year, Yom Kippur is all about reflection, abstinence, and self-denial. It is a day to read of the power of G-d and wonder if our names are written in the book for another year. The image of the memorial candles burning for the dead reminds us that we are mere mortals, and each day is truly a gift.

After services, we drove my 95-year-old mother-in-law and sister-in-law to our daughter and son-in-law’s home, where we rendezvoused with many of our nuclear and extended family. It was wonderful to walk into a home filled with so much love, and the two adorable rescue puppies certainly added to the warmth. (I am always in awe of the demanding lives my daughters lead, both full-time working moms, wives, and double-dog mamas. They accomplish more in a day than so many in a week.) And this day, it was all about the bringing together of so many of us. We all brought food to add to their buffet, so happy were we to have that time together.

But what took my attention was the children, ah, the children! There were 11 of them, ranging from our very grown-up 16-year-old to his adorable 2-year-old cousin. Truthfully, they mesmerized me. Although four of the 11 are my grand dolls, I have known the others since they were born, having danced at each of their parent’s weddings. They play together, hug each other, share stories and their lives. Both of our daughters married into families that had more siblings than they did. Allison’s husband, Dave, has three, and Emily’s husband, Jeremy, has two.

As I watched this beautiful generation interact with each other, filled with so much love for their family, I was happy, and I was content. It is so easy on a day of atonement and mourning to forget the cycle of living, not just of life. These wonderful young people gave me hope for their days ahead, and will sustain me, I believe, until next Yom Kippur, where we will hope to do it all again!

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