When we met we were only 16 and 17, and we dreamt about our future together. We thought of the things we might do, the accomplishments we hoped to realize, and the excitement of sharing our lives with a community as a committed young Torah-observant couple.
We also romanticized through starry eyes how we would one day go for long walks in the rain. The thought of getting soaking wet together or walking through puddles seemed like such a great plan for young innocents like us.
To this day if we are walking outside and it begins to rain we both start singing at the top of our lungs, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.” We guess the romantic side is still there but is overwhelmed by practical consideration. We are the first folks to head inside when the drops begin to fall.
Truth be told, Mordechai is more into walking and hiking. He would be happy to take a two-hour trek through paths and trails. Nina’s definition of a great walk is window shopping along Fifth Avenue or slowly perusing the people and scenes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In absolute unity, fast or slow, on any day we were happy to walk the alleyways and lanes of Jerusalem, absorbing the air, looking at the locals, and reading the different posters glued to doors and walls along the narrow streets.
In Montreal, weather permitting, we would go for a walk practically every night, giving ourselves the opportunity to share the happenings of the day without interruption as we noticed the stars in the sky, the cloud formations, the beautiful flowers and lawns that people manicured and, of course, we often stopped to greet friends and neighbors. Since we moved to Bergen County we are astounded at the condition of the sidewalks in Bergenfield; often we feel as though we are putting ourselves in danger from the many cracks, bumps, and broken sidewalks everywhere. The streets are not much better. If we walk at night as we used to all of the time, we are afraid of the consequences.
This week we will be taking a walk which is much more significant but far from long. We will be walking down the aisle, arm in arm, at our eldest granddaughter Adina’s wedding. It is definitely one of the most moving experiences that we have ever had. While walking down the aisle we will think about the good fortune we have in that this is our fourth grandchild whose wedding we are able to attend. Adina has four grandparents; is that not an amazing bracha? We had no grandparents at our wedding. Most of our friends did not have any grandparents present at their weddings, and only two of our children had the zchut of having Nina’s mother present at their weddings.
Inevitably, as we walk down the aisle, we stop and look at each other feeling passionately grateful and in love. Here we are, this young couple that loved to splash in puddles, and now we are grandparents walking down the aisle. We think of those who did not have this opportunity and we are trying to represent them all. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the wonderful nachat Hashem has given to us from our amazing children. Each one of them has taught us new lessons about life.
To Malkie and Baruch, parents of the kallah, we offer sincere praise for the seven outstanding miracles they have presented to us. No gift could ever be more meaningful, and the love and respect they have shown us makes this short walk down the aisle one of great pride and joy.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
