Megillah, March - April 2005

Editorial

Those of you who are familiar with the children's stories that I have been writing for the Megillah are probably aware that the stories are mostly about my grandchildren, Molly and Lee. Recently, in speaking to these two children, I remarked that, since they have grown older, I would no longer be able to write about them in the stories. Without a pause to think, Lee (age 10) replied, "Grandma, you can still write the stories. In the stories we can always stay young, but in real life we will continue to grow up!"

I was so proud of him for reasoning so quickly. That started me to think. Don't we, as adults, still have that child within us? Aren't there times when, as adults, we act one way, yet the child within us really wants to act differently?

When we are told something that we don't like, we simply do not respond, or we walk away. But the child within us would like to answer back or even strike out at the person who made the remark.

Preparing for Passover is a chore for us. However, the child within us delights at the unpacking of each dish and pan, thinking of the wonderful foods that will come out of the kitchen!

How about the snow? The adult that we are hates the idea of having to shovel snow. Yet, wouldn't we really love to roll down the hill in the snow once again?

As adults, we are obliged to act in a responsible way when we really would like to react in the carefree way of a child. We must say "Yes" when asked to do something, when re really want to say "No". When it comes to our synagogue, in order for the doors to stay open, and for the congregation to remain visible, all of us must pitch in and make the extra effort. We must act as responsible adults, not as that child within.

~Bernice Cohen