The other day I was browsing through old blog posts, and I came across this one. It fits in beautifully with today's BlogElul topic...memory. So I thought I would share it again....
Re-posted from April 30, 2010
Written in the entrance hall of the Ellis Island museum:
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| I took this picture using my BlackBerry. |
My feet are tired.
How must their feet have felt?
It's very loud in here, it echoes with voices and feet, laughter and loudspeakers.
Can this even be a fraction of what the noise was like?
What a warm day...
I can't imagine shlepping through here wearing all my worldly possessions.
Many visitors speaking many languages.
And audio tours in all their tongues.
What would it be like without the tour?
Confusing, heart-wrenching, head-hurting, overwhelming...
I am filled with awe at the leap of faith - a new land, new opportunities, new hope. The unknown life, the dream of America. To never go back. To never again hear the voices of those left behind, or see their faces. To turn a resolute back on the past and squarely face an undiscovered future. To create a new life.
Daily I am blessed by the choices made by those who came before me.
I am grateful for their bravery and courage, their fortitude and strength.
Their memories HAVE become a blessing. May they continue to do so.
The Jewish month of Elul, which precedes the High Holy Days, is traditionally a time of renewal and reflection. It offers a chance for spiritual preparation for the Days of Awe. It is traditional to begin one’s preparation for the High Holy Days during this month with the Selichot, the prayers of forgiveness. We look to begin the year with a clean slate, starting anew, refreshed. All month, along with others, I'll be blogging a thought or two for each day to help with the month of preparation... I will be blogging here, and sharing #Elulgram photos on the same themes at imabima.tumblr.com. Follow me on twitter @imabima for all the #BlogElul posts, not only mine but others' as well!
Leave your blog Elul post in the linky below!
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