The Guest

We had a guest at our Passover sedar last night. And what a guest he was.

After a full meal and dessert, we all sat around the table to listen to the stories he had to share, all watching him with tears in our eyes and appreciation in our hearts.

This guest was someone who had no place to go for Passover, and even though we didn't know him, we invited him to join our family and friends and share in the holiday sedar.

I did not realize the impact of having him at our sedar. He was a Holocaust survivor and told the stories of his past. He also told the story of his late wife, Helen. They had both known Oscar Schindler (who many of you know from the movie, "Schindler's List"), and his Helen had even been saved by him. She was sentenced to death and he bribed someone to allow her to go back to work (WOW).

As the bickering of trying to make everything for the second night's sedar began this morning, I reminded everyone of our guest and his stories. There was no room for bickering just because of stress (afraid of not finishing). We needed to remember how bad they had it and appreciate our time with each other.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be in his presence and listen to his stories. And I am thankful for the opportunity to live and surround myself with such wonderful people each day.

Thank you, Kuba Beck.