Tisha B'Av - A Moment of Lucidity

amother ↓

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 1:48 pm

He sits near the hospital bed, aching.

Waiting, watching, and hoping.

It’s been so long since the accident, but he refuses to leave the boy’s side.

“No change,” they always say. “The longer he is like this, the less likely it is that he will emerge from this state.”

They tell him to go home. Change his clothes. Find a hobby. Move on.

But he stays.

His only son smiles – even laughs occasionally – his eyes unfocused and unseeing, but his brain, it’s even further away.

It’s the boy’s obliviousness which hurts him the most. How is he so gleeful, so out-of-it, so unaware of the gravity of the situation?

This child was his tomorrow, his whole world, his reason for existence.

How he wishes he could just gently shake the boy awake, as he used to, so many moons before.

It’s like there is this empty shell, just sitting there foolishly grinning at nothing all day long.

Where is he really? Where is his son, this child he lives for? Is he in pain, does he feel trapped? Is his spirit peacefully floating among the mountaintops somewhere? Does he long to be held, does he hear his father’s voice, does he appreciate the warmth of his father’s constant presence? Or is he gone forever?

There are no answers, yet he stays.

Because every once in a while, there is a hint, a glimpse, of understanding. The boy will look confused, scared even, and briefly meet his father’s worried eyes. Sometimes a tear will even fall. And then it’s back to oblivion.

But those moments, they make his father go on. Because this means there might be something left inside, something real, something alive. A spark that might, just might ignite the pile of ashes and form a bright light once again.

So our Father just keeps on waiting.

This Tisha B’av, let’s give Him a moment of lucidity. Let’s forget about all the nothingness we busy ourselves with day after day after day. Let’s focus on what is really important, on what we lost, and what we should long to have once again.

We owe it to Him, as the child He waits for and watches, the one He lives for.

And maybe, just maybe, we can make it last longer than a day. Maybe this will be the beginning of The End.

Finally.

(In case you recognize this, it was cross-posted from my blog - I did not steal it! Smile

I just won't mention the actual blog because I am unsure if the new rules allow it. I do not have any ads on my blog - it is purely personal - but it seems that the new guidelines are still a bit vague. Hope you all have an easy and meaningful fast...)

Malasheval

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 3:50 pm

Beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.

Sparkle

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 9:28 pm

Very moving. Thank you.

mama mia 123

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 10:24 pm

most beautiful mashal I ever read,thank you!!

rainbow baby

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 10:38 pm

Wow very moving thank you.

Honesty

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 10:55 pm

Thank you for your inspiring words. May you continue to inspire klal yisroel with your wisdom. Have an easy and meaningful fast.

Depressed

Mon, Aug 08 2011, 11:05 pm

OP... this is beautiful, if you dont mind my asking why does this require 'amother' for ?

MamaBird

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 12:05 am

beautiful. very inspiring. thank you.

jeweled

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 12:48 am

I love the transition line. Beautiful work.

ElJayMom

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 1:45 am

Thanks for sharing!

HindaRochel

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 10:39 am

BEAUTIFUL! Thank you.

milchigs

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 11:51 am

Beautiful and so so powerful!

amother wrote:

So our Father just keeps on waiting.

This line actually gave me goosebumps all over. You really are a talented writer.

mom2cutee

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 12:29 pm

so so beautiful.... thanks for sharing!

Optione

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 1:26 pm

So beautifully written! Thank you for your moving inspiration.

mammele26

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 5:42 pm

Thank you so much! This was truly very inspiring.

ChossidMom ↓

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 5:56 pm

Thank you. That WAS beautiful.

And, I like your blog, Lefty. Smile

↑ amother ↓

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 6:02 pm

Depressed wrote:

OP... this is beautiful, if you dont mind my asking why does this require 'amother' for ?

Because I'm not yet ready to link my blog to my imamother username. Still relishing the anonymity... Smile

↑ ChossidMom

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 6:04 pm

It's not like your blog isn't anonymous...(and it was fairly easy to find).

↑ amother ↓

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 6:05 pm

ChossidMom wrote:

Thank you. That WAS beautiful.

And, I like your blog, Lefty. Smile

Oooh, busted! Very Happy

And you're an excellent Googler!

Thanks, Chossidmom.

↑ amother ↓

Tue, Aug 09 2011, 6:06 pm

ChossidMom wrote:

It's not like your blog isn't anonymous...(and it was fairly easy to find).

I know, I guess I'm just an anonymity fiend... Very Happy