She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

In as much as I do not celebrate Easter, I always do most of the cooking for the Senior Dinner our temple does for Senior Citizens without family. I like to cook and bake so no problem there.

I always enjoy hearing the stories our Seniors share. This year I was a bit overwhelmed by one lady's story. She is 96 years old and not in the best of health but this woman has a spirit that refuses to be dimmed by age. She began by explaining why this day was so special to her.

" To think God gave his only son to save me. On this day, we were taught death is only the beginning. We have only to accept God and we to will have eternal life. I believe I will see my family again and we will be whole."

Through her 96 years she has known the pain of loosing all her loved ones. She has suffered poverty and declining health and yet her belief in her God is as strong as ever. As she stated to one of our younger works: "It is easy to believe in God when things go smooth, not so easy when it all falls away."

I am not a Christian but this lady's faith is inspiring. I hope she has many years left.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Perhaps with her declining health and poverty she may be wishing to join all her departed friends and relatives very soon.

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

She Wolf - This is a lovely story and a great example of someone who is able to find common ground in a differing faith, without judgement. Bravo to you.

It also makes me smile because it reminds me the only Seder I've ever attended was at a retirement home in Portland. There were many tables and each had its own little Seder plate. But each of the small examples of the symbolic foods was in a little specimen cup!!!! Further, we were all wondering about the little cherry tomato on each plate, which no one at my (mostly Gentile) table recognized as a part of the symbolic foods. Someone finally explained that the cherry tomato stood in for a small orange to symbolize the acceptance of the authority of women in liberal temples. This goes back to a conservative Rabbi who, when discussing women's involvement said "A woman on the Bima! That makes as much sense as an orange on the Seder plate!"

I love religion with humor!

And BTW, although I was raised in a Christian tradition, it would be irresponsible of me to call myself Christian these days. But at my Easter table we do serve a wonderful Russian dessert called pashka, which is made in a mold incised with the Cyrillic letters representing "Christ is Risen". I love the tradition and metaphor, despite not adhering to the dogma. This year's pashka pictured below, with Reisling-poached pears

sabbath Loc: meade co. ky.

How can you just walk away from the gift that God is offering?

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

While I truly respect your faith, I'm really certain I am not walking away from anything. I just have a different understanding than you. But I'm certain God has room for both of our undertandings and you seem to have room for only yours.

fiatlux

Good for you. This is more of what we desperately need: respect for our differences and an earnest quest to seek where we can come together and make a difference. I see wh**ever woes we may endure here on earth as simply part of living and not the acts of God. It is not that God sits on the sidelines in a big white fluffy armchair looking down on our struggles and pain unable or unwilling to bring relief. For me, he has given us everything we could possibly need to make life here an eden and it is our responsibility to care for and make the necessary changes to ease the suffering. He empowers my love to be other-centered and sacrificial, and that is when I make a difference. This is just how I see it and not meant to be taken that all should see as I do. My failings are great as well and I am usually self-centered. I admire your work with the seniors.

On the saying by Voltaire as your signature, a personal observation: I know who rules over me by those I resent or h**e. Just a thought.

mcmlx

She Wolf, I truly enjoy your posts. I'm thankful for the respect that you convey.
MCMLX