It was a new route for Amtrak. The 86 passengers on board were excited to be a part of this new venture. Obviously, none of them had the slightest inkling of what was to come. The Cascades 501 was on its inaugural trip between Seattle and Portland when it derailed, killing many and injuring others.
Cruising, and those who have ever experienced the luxury of a seven-day or longer cruise can attest to this fact, remains one of the most relaxing vacations one can ever have. We actually know this from experience. A large moneymaker for these mega cruise lines is their sale of “land packages”; once they arrive in port, vacationers can explore jungles, ruins, beaches or whatever for an additional fee. Just recently, a bus carrying sightseers from the Celebrity Equinox and Serenade of the Seas flipped on a two-lane highway. The bus was driving in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Again, many died or were injured.
We returned from Montreal recently during a minor snowstorm, with a forecast of freezing rain to follow. We carefully checked the weather predictions for every little shtetl we would be passing on our way from the border toward Albany. We debated whether we should postpone our trip by a day, but realized that in the winter there is no guarantee that the weather will be any better 24 hours later. We made our decision to leave, and nervously watched as we passed several cars involved in accidents or spinouts. Fortunately, the second we crossed the border there was not a drop of snow.
Who cannot be heartbroken by the devastating fire that took place in Sheepshead Bay, killing a mother and three of her children? Her husband and two other children are fighting for their lives. All of this because a menorah was left burning when the family retired for the night.
In any or all of the above instances, no one would have considered the possibility that any of the tragedies that befell them would really happen. We pass through life assuming that the horrible things we read about are unlikely to ever happen to us.
The issue of a menorah burning, not really that different from Shabbat candles, is partly that children are running back and forth from room to room, sometimes much too close for comfort to where the candles are placed. Is it not a miracle that there have not been more injuries or catastrophes from this? We wish that just as many in our community implore others to wear their reflective sashes when they go out at night, especially on Shabbat, those same people would encourage their friends and relatives to place whatever candles are lit in a place that children cannot get to.
No one has any clue about what tomorrow will bring. Nevertheless, many of us are constantly “playing with fire” without even realizing it. Always rushing—we drive too fast, leave at the last minute, feel as though we can make up so much time if we drive throughout the night because, let’s face it, nothing is going to happen. Deer will not hit our car; those signs along the highway to beware of them are always for someone else. We just keep speeding. Believe us that we are equally guilty. Recently, it was only pure luck that a deer hit a friend’s car near Keter Torah, smashing into the passenger side of the car, when no one was sitting there. The only damage done was to the car.
There is no such thing as being immune from the challenges of everyday life. The same people who are affected by tragedies once likely believed that nothing would happen to them. In many cases, what happened was not under their control. However, there are things we are able to control, and perhaps we should be more diligent about so doing.
So many times we have reiterated the importance of giving thanks for every day and everything we have. Don’t leave the house without speaking those three important words to your spouse. Saying “I love you” will not make you late. No matter what the ages of your children, it never hurts to take the time to check in on them while they are sleeping or mesmerized by their iPads, just to say good night, give a peck on the cheek or a tuck of their blanket.
Notice all of the good that surrounds us. Enjoy the fresh coat of snow as it blankets the earth instead of complaining about it. Relish the unbelievable array of products available to us in the local stores instead of complaining about what they do not have. Pick up your neighbor’s newspaper if you know they are unable to do so easily. Take your children for a visit to CareOne or Rockleigh or any other facility that you know would welcome young faces to cheer up the residents. Invite your “non-religious” neighbor for a Shabbat meal.
Make the very best of every moment in your life. Don’t waste any time mulling over disappointments, ill feelings or resentment of others. Life is too short—we have no guarantee of what will be tomorrow. Certainly, all the people who experienced the tragedies mentioned above did not deserve the hand they were dealt. With the knowledge that we are making the very most of each day by being honest, caring, loving and truly sensing all that we have to be grateful for, it does not matter what tomorrow will bring. We need to live for today.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick are living in Bergenfield after many years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. Rabbi Glick was the rav of Congregation Ahavat Yisroel as well as a practicing clinical psychologist in private practice. He also taught at Champlain Regional College. The Glicks were frequent speakers at the OU marriage retreats. Nina coordinated all Yachad activities in Montreal and was a co/founder of Maison Shalom, a group home for young adults with special needs. They can be reached at [email protected].
