It's impossible to wrap my mind around the swift passing of time. Surely it was a moment ago when Emily and her best friend stood giggling on the front steps with a doll in one hand and a key to our new home in the other. (Our friend lived, and still lives, directly across the street. It is why we bought this house!) They were so little then, first and second graders. Now, they are both soon to be teenagers.
Certain milestones, or stepping stones, in life provide moments of reflection. Something that I do treasure, indeed. So easily we get swept up in the hustle of the day to day, but pausing and marking the passing of time, ushering in a new season of life... these are the sort of big, life picture experiences that encourage me to stay present to the now, knowing this moment is what matters the most. This is where truth lies.
This past weekend marked our friend's Bat Mitzvah. Oh my the preparation involved! Adding to what is already a remarkable event in the life of a young Jew, her father is the Rabbi! Needless to say, it was a pretty significant weekend for her family and congregation. We are happy for them all, and so proud of her.
As a gift I painted her this image of a hamsa, using watercolor. I wanted it to be sunny and cheerful - yellow, happy colors are her favorite. It was the first time I've given someone a painting as a gift (of course, it's only been a couple of months since I started painting!), but I knew she would be the one to welcome such a gift, she is an artist herself.
The passing of one momentous life experience represents the culmination of so many tiny, truth filled moments. Thankfully, there will be many more to come.
