One of the many lovely things our synagogue does is have Shabbat services outdoors on the plaza in front of the beautiful Byzantine-inspired temple. Rabbi Michael Cahana was a theater major in college, so he tells awesome stories and plays a mean guitar. And sings. His wife has just been named cantor, and they make a good team. The service lasts an hour and we're encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to eat afterward and mingle with folks.
We got there just after the service started -- it was "backwards day" at school, and Rachel wore her underwear and her dress inside-out, and Drew wanted to change her into one of her pretty pink dresses, the one with the white lace overlay. As soon as we got there he spread out the picnic blanket and we listened to the service, with Rachel taking turns putting her head in our laps. (I always point out the parts of the service where the name "Rachel" is mentioned, which seems to delight her). She of course was terrifically well-behaved.
After the service I got into a long conversation about law school grad employment with a guy I met from Ater Wynne, one of Portland's most prestigious law firms (this is something I really like about my job; it opens me up to meeting all kinds of interesting people and talking shop with them). Then we all sat down and ate dinner. When the rabbi stopped by, Rachel immediately jumped up and gave him a big hug when he kneeled down and asked for one. He pretended he couldn't believe she's 4. "You were only 3 last year!" he said, teasing her. I told him we've already told Rachel that she has only nine years to go before her bat mitzvah...and I'm sure the time will fly by. It's hard to believe that four years have gone by since her birth!
Then Drew said abruptly, "Tot Shabbat." Meaning he wants to start taking Rachel to the once-a-month Tot Shabbat services for kids. That meant a great deal to me that he suggested it, because we did that for a while and then dropped it when Rachel started swim lessons. I'm glad he sees the importance of starting her Jewish education early.
There were a couple of babies at the service tonight, and Rachel asked shyly if she could hold one of them, a 3-month-old girl. To my surprise, the mommy said yes, and so I sat down, took Rachel in my lap, and put the baby in HER lap. Rachel demanded that I remove my hands from the baby's head, which I was supporting, and Rachel did an excellent job of being gentle with her. She even did a fair job of supporting the head, and you could see the love and wonder on her face as she looked down at this tiny little thing. I wish more than anything that I could give her a sibling. She'd be a terrific big sister.
Tomorrow we've got swim lessons, I need to do some work in the morning and then in the evening we're going to a birthday party for a chorus friend of mine who turned 65 last month. Should be a lot of fun. On Sunday we'll do thank-you notes for Rachel's gifts and then, if we have time, we'll head to Mt. Hood to play. I passed it on my way to Bend yesterday for a business trip, and the scenery this time of year is stunning. Seriously considering heading to Bend for the Labor Day weekend if we can get a campsite or a cheap cabin. So much to do and see, it's a feast for the eyes! If we ever won the lottery, I'd love to buy a vacation home there....
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