On the way into the Jewish Quarter, we passed a man bearing the cross, quite literally. He held a seven foot high cross over his shoulder, as part of a Christian group visiting Jerusalem.
Every time a tourist group from China passed us (and there were many), Raphaela would shout out one of the three words we know in Chinese - Grandfather, Snow, Thank You - and kept showing disappointment when they did not respond to her attempts to communicate in their native tongue.
Along the way, Raphaela was put in charge of distributing the charity coins to all who asked, and she performed enthusiastically.
At the Kotel [Wailing Wall] we saw a group Native American women, in full regalia of feathers and ceremonial drums, praying together, amongst the other women.
When I asked Raphaela about her private prayers at the Wall, she said she only needed a short time to put in her requests, because she asked for a father. Then she looked at me and said in an almost otherworldly voice, "Surely there are good men out there who deserve a chance for your love?" I have come to the conclusion that in that moment, she was channeling my grandmother, for whom she was named. Because magical things happen at this time of the Jewish calendar.
We met up with some cousins and ate ice cream, and on our journey out of the Old City, we saw a lone man carrying an abnormally large blue flag, demanding the return of the Third Temple in Jerusalem.
Raphaela and I wish everyone a year of light and blessings, a year of adventure and variety, a year of building beautiful memories.
2 comments:
Wow, that's in credible that she said that - not something a 6yo would say in normal circumstances. My 6yo tells me we don't need anyone else in our family, we're fine as we are. (Just in case I had any other ideas.) Shana Tova to you both. xxx
*incredible
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