I had a great post today.
It was creative and humorous and different. It featured a glittering rhinoceros and a knock knock joke with a rabbi. It was about Hanukah. It was about all of the fantastically rad lessons Judaism has taught me over the years —about myself, my family, and the world around me —about looking beyond anything that can be measured and searching for something bigger than myself.
And you know what, I spent a lot of time on that post too. Not because it was something great but because I didn’t want anyone Christian to read it and get offended.
Twenty-four hours after I wrote that post, none of that stuff matters. Fuck it.
Who cares about religion today? And who has any business getting offended when so many are hurt and heartbroken?
We all turn to prayer and take solace in faith, but today, what would it matter? Today when we are all trying to figure out how the killing of children and mothers fits in to the greater good, what would it matter what God they worshiped? What would it take to prevent it from happening again? What would it take to comfort the grieving and restore the light that was stolen today?
…I don’t know.
In Hebrew, Hanukah means dedication.
Or rededication if you ask certain people.
…I don’t know.
I do know that the first eight nights of light came out of horrific tragedy and destruction. I know that Hanukkah is a story of survival and restoration. And I also know that the most important lesson of Hanukkah is that light is not merely another creation, light is Creation’s ultimate goal.
Today, when it is dark, I will be light.
חג חנוכה שמח
Kim Caine
Thank you so much for this today! We are all so fragile in every moment. Thank you for sharing light.
Sam
That was exactly what we needed. And I needed to be reminded that in the midst of nightmarish darkness and human tragedy we get to choose to be the light and not succumb to the darkness.
Laura
Thank you.
Kirsten Gould
I am a Christian and am not offended when others express their faith as long as they are respectful to others.
Jenni Grace
Beautiful. Just plain beautiful.
Stacey
very profound and thoughtful post. I agree…religion isn’t an important topic…how we treat each other and care for one another is what matters most. Your dedication is quite fitting. Bless your kind heart.
Nicki Soller
Beautiful, Peaches. Everybody Hurts.
Kathi
I came here today because I knew you would write something that I’d want to read, something that might bring light to the darkness. Thank you.
Laura
Happy Hanukah. Thank you for this lovely post. I am a Christian who believes that religion has no boundaries. Those sweet souls are resting in God’s arms today. We must stop these senseless tragedies.
Hugs,
Laura
Laurinda P
Thank you, lovely post, well said.
Shannon -MadiganMade
What a beautiful post… thank you for sharing. You and your blog IS a light… a creative and imaginative light to inspire your readers. Thanks and happy Hanukkah.
Tracy Lynn Bower
Love, Light and strength, thank you Peaches, beautiful post!!
miznelliebellie
well said, love speaks across all religions. And that’s what we so desperately need right now. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and word! Happy Hanukkah!
Stella Dora von Swineburg
Beautiful musical performance, thank you Aunt Peaches, I probably never would have had the pleasure of hearing it without your blog……evil walked into that school yesterday, your blog post about glittering rhinos, knock knocking Rabbis and the sharing of your faith DOES MATTER, it too is LIGHT and it proves evil hasn’t won.
Amanda Becker
This post is beautiful and thought-provoking. Thank you.
Suzy McQuown
For the last night of Hanukkah we will honor the light and pray that those so deeply affected by today’s events will find some small measure of solace in knowing that so many of us hold them close in our hearts.
Chelsea Pickard
Thank you and happy Hanukah (from an un-offended Christian.) This was a beautiful post.
Mary Beth Schwarz
This is a lovely post full of the light of Chanukah. There is nothing we can say or do tonight. The guy seems to have stolen guns and gone to a school without guns, so how can we protect from this sort of thing?
nutbirds
Thank you. Maybe the people of my state, Connecticut, can enact some legislation to make it more difficult for unstable people to obtain weapons.
shana lee hampton
i love this post. thank you. and happy chanukah.
Wendy Rotchstein
Beautifully said.