Happy Birthday, Godmother!

It was Earth Day yesterday. Also Abby's birthday. Happy birthday, Godmother!

On our way to get a present for Abby and Jordan (today's birthday), I handed my cell phone with Abby to Sienna," she didn't want to "Hapy Birthday." She said, "Mommy, I am shy. I will say it when I see Abby." I know some kids are shy. I've never seen a shy kid who would admit to you that she is shy. We couldn't make it to the cake cutting thing late at night. I had to get Sienna to bed early so that she could go to her ballet this morning.

Coming home this evening, I saw many driveways in our neighbourhood were packed full with cars. I realized those houses were Jewish families gathering to have their Passover celebrations. Our neighbour across the street was quiet -- they must be out visiting their families somewhere. Some 40% of the population in this area are said to be Jewish. No less us Chinese folks. You can see some Isreali flags flying over some houses. The supermarket here recently has a huge banner across "Passover Headquarter." There is a reform synagogue two streets down where a female rabbi presides (if this is the right word) and we went for Jordan's bat mitzvah.

It's worth another blog entry pondering why I end up rubbing shoulders with so many Jewish friends. The reason though is definitely a non-religious one. Since there is not an English term that describes Godmother role without religious overtones, we call Abby Godmother anyways. We would talk at least once or twice daily to chat on various topics. And she would be updated about how Sienna, "the little one" is doing. Today we mentioned a show on Larry King Live where a Christian pastor, a Catholic priest, a rabbi and a muslin scholar discussed about what happens when we die. "Probably not much," said the Godmother. "There will be ashes, though." I added.

So, for the record, Sienna has a Jewish Godmother. At least in her early years, we live in an interesting neighbouhood that is a good mix of Chinese and Jewish and others. And I suspect highly that her teacher Ms Ahmed is muslin.