Happy Hanukkah!

If you don't already know about my son's wish to be Jewish, you can read about it here. When he was in preschool, they made a tiny little menorah out of styrofoam and q-tips. He packs it away each year in the box with holiday decorations and pulls it out every year when we decorate for Christmas and sets it tenderly on the window sill.

Personally, I think it's great! I love that he is interested in learning about other cultures, religions and traditions. After the incident last Hanukkah, I didn't know if he would let it go, since his wish to be Jewish seemed to be based solely on his desire for eight nights of presents as opposed to one day. He didn't. They were out of school on Yom Kippur this year and he told me that morning that he knew it was a Jewish holiday, but he didn't know what it was all about and wanted me to explain. I explained to him all about it and he listened intently- honestly curious to learn. I had him up until the point where I told him about the fasting and his eyes got huge and he said, " Well, if *I* were Jewish, I would NOT do that part!" I laughed and told him yes he would, because that was a very important part of the observance and it would be important to him if he were Jewish.

So, this year, he unpacked his menorah, placed it on the window sill and hasn't said a word since. I already knew that Hanukkah begins tonight, but didn't know if Noah was aware. I should learn not to underestimate Noah. This morning he informed me it was the first day of Hanukkah. I explained that actually it begins at sunset tonight, but for the most part, he was correct. He understands this year that he isn't getting presents, but he simply wanted to be mindful of the Jewish celebration and the people celebrating it.

I can only hope that my children grow up to be aware, educated and open-minded people that will in turn teach their children about different faiths and cultures thus causing them to teach their children and so forth. And maybe one day, we can all get along and realize that we are all so different, yet all the very same. We are, after all- Jews, Muslims and Christians- all descendants of Abraham- brothers and sisters.

I hope you all find love, peace and happiness in your celebration my brothers and sisters.