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A Cherished Memory
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voice, the cries of our elderly — urg-
memory reflecting my
ing those who truly enjoy the pre-
teenage years still res-
cious present to share it with them
onates within me and is
— our parents, grandparents and
brought back to me partly
our other respected elders. They
perhaps because of my work as a
have so much to live for and take
Jewish community chaplain serving
pride in: joy of their children and
Jewish older adults in the Detroit
grandchildren, lifelong friends, tal-
area.
ents and expertise they have devel-
It was a mid-summer Friday after-
oped, and individual attitudes and
noon on the streets of Brooklyn,
wisdom about life that they
N.Y., and I was shopping
have shaped and molded
for Shabbat provisions
over the years of joys and
among crowds of people
struggles.
rushing in all directions.
They strive to live in the
As I hurried with my
present and enjoy each
shopping bags across the
remaining moment of the
neighborhood's main street,
lives they are granted.
Kingston Avenue, I noticed
Perhaps we have a role to
an elderly Jewish man, who
play in helping them fully
was shouting over and over
appreciate — fully experi-
to all the passersby: "Vie loifi RABBI DOVID
ence — the precious pres-
a Yid?" (Where is a Jew run-
PO L TER
ent, rather than leaving
ning?).
Comm unity
them solely to memories,
Having lived in New York
Vi ews
recollections and nostalgia.
for some years, I viewed this
Share your "present" with
European man, and his
your elders. Share it and give it; it's an
seemingly bizarre behavior, as just
invaluable gift.
another weird street fixture, all too
And to you, my older gentleman
common in New York. I kept on with
who cried out to me from the streets
my own business and, along with the
of Brooklyn: I hope I understood
other shoppers, didn't try to connect
your message. And I thank you for
or understand what he was trying to
reminding me to enjoy the precious
convey.
present and live it, every day, to the
Decades have passed, and only
fullest. ❑
recently have his words begun to
strike me as profound and extremely
insightful — a statement about how
we live our lives. I realize now that he
was challenging me to value and nur-
ture peace in my life.
He was questioning my hastiness,
for he believed one must live every
moment for that moment, not for the
next. His words have inspired me to
cherish the moment — and not to
overlook or rush through it.
A
Perhaps he wanted me to carry this
message to others. Why be con-
sumed with the next moment, if that
will prevent us from making the best
of the present? Some of us have
spent much of our lives looking for
the next momenr — only to finally
realize that our entire present has
suddenly become swallowed by our
irretrievable past.
I believe I heard, in this man's
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