Sometimes G-d Sends You Shabbat Flowers

I just got back from abroad, and tonight (Thursday) went with my husband, son, and daughter-in-law-to-be out to the winery where they are getting married (in 33 days, please G-d!) for a “taste testing” of the wedding meal and to meet with the wedding planner.

We drove out, walked in, and saw that a wedding was taking place that night– how fun! We were able to see their setup and imagine what ours could be. I snuck into their festivities and realized I knew some people there!

Who was getting married? The chatan (groom) was the son of Michelle Jackson, a woman who came on one of our first JWRP/Momentum trips to Israel from South Africa. The kallah (bride) was the daughter of my husband’s former roommate from yeshiva. The Momentum community leader who had brought Michelle and her group was also there, told me the back story, and brought me over to her.

Michelle was so excited to see me and told me that since the trip, she had made a lot of changes in her family; her son had become a lone soldier, they had all become observant, and now here they were at his wedding in Israel! She held on to me, looked into my eyes, and said, “This night began with that trip to Israel with you and JWRP.”

Wow. You plant seeds, and you never know how they will bloom. You pray that G-d will water them.

Talk about HP (Higher Power)– and when it comes so close to Shabbat; I always feel that Someone is sending me Shabbat flowers, giving me the pleasure in my lifetime of seeing the beautiful bouquet that each Momentum woman has created.

Mazal Tov, Michelle, and the Jackson and Wachtel families.