Three years ago today my oldest started middle school.
I wrote my first blog.
Today she started high school.
This is blog #111.
Three years.
Three long years.
Three short years.
Three years that flew by so fast, too fast.
I blinked, and my beautiful girls are young woman.
Yesterday we spent the last day of vacation at the beach. Today I watched my sun kissed girls walk away to school.
I tell them to be kind.
I tell them to learn.
I ask them to be nice to the new kids.
I ask them to be open.
Give the ones you didn’t get along with last year a chance.
Be bold.
Speak up for what is right. ALWAYS.
For my children this is not hard. We are in California.
Our schools are as liberal as they come.
Our Rabbi is on the front line speaking out loud...saying...telling.
The events of the past weekend are as foreign to them as the moon and cannot be understood.
My children ask again and again:
“WHAT?”
“WHY?”
“HOW CAN THIS BE?”
“WHO DOES THINGS LIKE THIS??”
I struggle to explain and not stoop down low.
I think of the woman I met in India but a mere 10 days ago.
My brilliant burn victims who refuse to be ashamed. Instead they take photos and stand strong.
The homeless women who live with the social worker students. They are accepted and celebrated, regardless of their state of mind or brokenness.
I think of the men, so many men who came to my shows and said, WE the men need to make this stop.
We saw full-blown ugly this past weekend.
But I want to remind you, that there is great beauty in this world.
Great strength and great triumph.
I have the privilege of seeing it again and again.
So let’s commit to the beauty.
Be extra nice.
Visit someone who is ill.
Give someone a compliment.
Donate money or time to a cause you believe in.
Love.
Love.
And then simply love some more. From your heart and with truth.
I invite you to come with me.
Come, commit to the beauty.
Will you try?
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Save the date October 21st - The Advot Project Evening Garden Party!