As Ahuva Nava’s birthday season begins (it started on the Jewish calendar the 22nd of Cheshvan which was this past Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah and goes until November 6, her birthday on Greg’s calendar) I have taken a few moments to think about this past year. We, as a family, had what you might call a rough start. Elisheva gave birth to twin girls five weeks early. Rivka Chaya had a rare condition called Chylothorax that filled her chest cavity with lymph fluid. During this time that Ahuva Nava trying to get strong enough to eat on her own and Rivka Chaya was struggling for her life we moved into St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Denver where we ended up living for the next three weeks. After close to two weeks Rivka Chaya was transferred to Children’s Hospital where she only remained for two days after which we were devastated by her loss.
When we returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital from the beis hakevaros (the cemetery) we realized that just as Hashem had taken a special gift from us that we had barely gotten to know Hashem had also given us another gift as well whom we had to give our attention to now.
This past year has had its ups and downs but without a doubt, my wife and I can say that it has been a glorious one for our little family. Elisheva said that she never thought that a child could bring so much simcha. Every smile that Ahuva Nava gives us is another spoonful of Chesed from the Almighty. Every year when I commemorate the day of my accident I read my Dayeinu list which includes all of my milestones and accomplishments. The name of this list comes from my Rebbe, Rabbi Noach Orlowek, as part of his explanation of the Hagadah. When we say Dayeinu, in no way are we saying that it would have been enough if Hashem had taken us out of Egypt but not lead us through to see, rather we are saying it is enough to thank you, Hashem, just for this. Many times a day through this past year I have had this emotion of gratitude to G-d. I have even heard myself say “Master of the World thank you so much this is so wonderful, but don’t stop here please keep it coming!”
So far it is looking like this year’s Dayeinu list can’t have an entry without Ahuva Nava’s name in it. I’ll just mention a few of the accomplishments that I would include. Being able to hold Ahuva Nava not too long after she was born, figuring out how to feed her, getting her in and out of her crib, feeding her baby food, getting her out of her high chair (in the still a challenge :-), and putting her on the floor from sitting in my lap. It is enough to thank Hashem for every time she smiles. When I think of her and filled with gratitude for Hashem.
We will soon be entering the month of Kislev which holds the beginning of Chanukah. We read in the paragraph of Al Hanisim that these eight days were made it to be days of praise and thanks to Hashem. May we always remember that all the good in our lives ultimately comes from The One Source, the Master of the World, and that we need to thank Him for it.
When we returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital from the beis hakevaros (the cemetery) we realized that just as Hashem had taken a special gift from us that we had barely gotten to know Hashem had also given us another gift as well whom we had to give our attention to now.
This past year has had its ups and downs but without a doubt, my wife and I can say that it has been a glorious one for our little family. Elisheva said that she never thought that a child could bring so much simcha. Every smile that Ahuva Nava gives us is another spoonful of Chesed from the Almighty. Every year when I commemorate the day of my accident I read my Dayeinu list which includes all of my milestones and accomplishments. The name of this list comes from my Rebbe, Rabbi Noach Orlowek, as part of his explanation of the Hagadah. When we say Dayeinu, in no way are we saying that it would have been enough if Hashem had taken us out of Egypt but not lead us through to see, rather we are saying it is enough to thank you, Hashem, just for this. Many times a day through this past year I have had this emotion of gratitude to G-d. I have even heard myself say “Master of the World thank you so much this is so wonderful, but don’t stop here please keep it coming!”
So far it is looking like this year’s Dayeinu list can’t have an entry without Ahuva Nava’s name in it. I’ll just mention a few of the accomplishments that I would include. Being able to hold Ahuva Nava not too long after she was born, figuring out how to feed her, getting her in and out of her crib, feeding her baby food, getting her out of her high chair (in the still a challenge :-), and putting her on the floor from sitting in my lap. It is enough to thank Hashem for every time she smiles. When I think of her and filled with gratitude for Hashem.
We will soon be entering the month of Kislev which holds the beginning of Chanukah. We read in the paragraph of Al Hanisim that these eight days were made it to be days of praise and thanks to Hashem. May we always remember that all the good in our lives ultimately comes from The One Source, the Master of the World, and that we need to thank Him for it.
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