celebrate a guide to simchahs continued from page C62 What a blast! Michael A. Jonas Photography www.jonasphoto.com 248.647.5060 43530 West Oaks Drive Novi, MI 248347.6500 SweetandSassy.com $3 off a Sassy cut or $20 off a Pa ag,dh Expires: 6/30/10 SWEEZOJN Not to be combined with any other o Mischa Dresser Elbinger Studios business & personal portraits • model/acting • senior portraits • special events • families & children www.elbinger.com Bloomfield Hills Studio • for details & appointments call 248.432.7002 1571300 Invitations 4Stationery "siAccessories Party Favors 4Gifts 4Calligraphy up to 30% off Terri Trepeck Phone: 248-258-1657 invitations@invitesink.con-, vvvvvv.invitesiniccom Providing personalized service from start to finish! C64 celebrate! I March 2010 It was a rainy night to remember, and water came into the social hall, but the deli dinner was delicious. There was only one grandma now, and she couldn't come, but she was involved in things every step of the way. She was involved in the planning for the right tallit and she had heard his beauti- ful singing many times. He loved her so much. He didn't wear the tallit at the bar mitzvah because he saved it to show it to her first.This was something I would not have thought to ask of a child. This was just something that he wanted to do. Bar Mitzvah Number 3 reminds me of Lucille Ball: "Slowly I turned, and step by step ..." I am still recovering. This son is special. He has survived cancer and is ill some of the time. This is a child that I listen for all night, even at the age of 13. He is not 13 in terms of activity and desires, but he can be gentle in a way that I do not know from any other person. "Are you OK, Mom?" as I come up the steps. "Can I carry your purse (which is huge)?" He helped write his speech and was very specific about things he wanted to include and things he wouldn't. I had written, "Am I special, you bet I am. I write poetry, sing," etc. He humored me all summer ("Please let me take it out"). On the day of his party, which is where he gave his speech, at home surrounded by 100 friends and family, he read that speech, with a little help from Dad, but he would not read that line. He mumbled it, so no one heard it and then went bravely on. Not wanting to appear to be bragging, he felt it was inappropriate. Already a mentsh. The actual aliyah had come two weeks before with the party saved for Chanukah. It was the perfect moment, and completely unplanned.