[DebbieJFSG]

On Sunday morning my son had his most recent Bar Mitzvah lesson. He left the house with all of the information he had collected about the grandparents' and great-grandfather's B'nei Mitzvot. I was waiting for my husband to bring him home when the phone rang.

First, let me say that both of them are fine. However, the phone call was from my husband, telling me that they had been in a car accident.

I threw on some clothes (it was early, so I hadn't yet showered or gotten dressed) and raced to the accident, which was only about five minutes from the house. The car was in pretty bad shape (our minivan - front end accordianed) but both my husband and my son were standing on the side of the road with no visible injuries.

Of course the relief of seeing that they looked okay was accompanied by my delayed panic... What if they HADN'T been okay? Three days later I'm still having a tough time, but it's getting easier.

So I've lost a few days to insurance nightmares, medical visits (my son has a minor whiplash), and trying to figure out how we can replace our car in this economy (but the insurance company is thinking they may repair the damage, so we'll see) AND trying to get ready for Passover. With only 4 1/2 hours before my family arrives for the Seder, here I am typing away instead of setting the table.

Why? Because Passover is an adoption story. Because I can't hear the story about Moses being drawn from the water without making a connection to my children. Because when Moses returned to his birthfamily and reclaimed his heritage as a Jew his mother (the Egyptian princess) did not abandon him. And I can't help thinking if my children grow up and reclaim their heritage as non-Jews, how will I feel?

Yes, my son has made a conscious decision to pursue his Bar Mitzvah and, in so doing, is proclaiming his desire to live his life as a Jewish man. But, let's face it....he's still a little boy. Many things can change - sometimes in an instant, as this car accident reminds me.

This evening I will remember that we were once slaves in Egypt, and I will be thankful that we are now free. But I will also be thankful that my family is together, safe, and healthy and I will have a renewed appreciation for that fact.

A "Zissen Pesach" to all of you.