Shabbat shalom!

Tonight as I was lighting the Shabbat candles and started to wave my hands over them, Rachel followed suit.

Then I covered my eyes. So did she.

I said the blessing over the candles. Then I lifted the plate of food and blessed the bread. She tried to lift her plate, too.

Then I lifted my glass of iced tea and said the blessing over the wine.

Rachel lifted her cup of iced tea, too.

When I said "amen," she said "amen," in her little voice too.

I was moved to say, "Rachel, I am SO glad I'm spending Shabbat with you!" And I am.