Willow Tree

Shalom Gan! (Goodbye kindergarten)

Today was the goodbye misiba (party) for the Monkey's gan. Next year she is in first grade.

The girls welcomed us with a beautiful song, telling us how happy they were by our presence. Then they launched into this adorable play about three butterflies, purple and yellow and pink; how happy they were in the sun, dancing together from flowers to flower, laughing and joyous in the warmth. But then, alas, the clouds came out, and the ran poured on the poor butterflies---They were so cold, they were shivering from the cold. What should they, what could they do? Could they find shelter among the flowers? They went to yellow flower. Could we enter? Only the yellow flower could enter, the flower replied. No, the yellow flower said, if my friends can't come, I won't enter. We are one together in joy and sorrow. And the butterflies flitted to the purple and then the pink flower with the same results. Only that color could enter, and they refused. Then, G-d saw what happened and was pleased with their love for one another, and how they supported each other, and sent the sun to dry up the rain.

There were a few more songs, then another little play about a meal fit for a king. BUT the forks were too long, they couldn't get the food to their mouths. Half the people left, sad and hungry. But the ones that stayed sat and thought, how could they eat? Ah! We'll feed each other. And so the ones t hat stayed and helped each other had a delicious, nutritious, feast.
(Achdus, being one, is a big part of Jewish culture, the idea being that we are all one body, of many parts.)

I know too cute. Silly bits of cloth tied about heads, or draped over necks. The teachers standing over the children, showing them what to do, mouthing and saying the words with them. Kids breaking ranks to hug parents, rub their noses, or like my daughter, take an inordinate interest in their knees, so a film would have shown her with her skirt hiked up scratching her leg for a good portion of the event.

No one would have won an emmy.

So nu, why did my eyes keep tearing up especially when she stepped through the arch saying Shalom kitah aleph (Hello first grade?)

My babies are all growing up! I don't remember telling them to do that!

Posted by Rachel Ann at June 17, 2005 10:32 AM