Acts of kindness/Mitzvot are often left unspoken. I recently had a heart-warming experience in which an act of human kindness was presented to me. It touched my heart, deeply.

Many of you know that I have ancestral roots in England. My father (may his memory be for a Loving Blessing), was born in England, and lived there until he was thirteen years old, before emigrating to Montreal with my grandmother, and then to Brooklyn. I have several great-great, and great-grandparents buried in Leeds. I also have great-aunts and uncles buried there, etc. I was in Leeds in April 2008, and walked through the cemeteries that my ancestors are buried in, taking photographs of their gravestones, and of the cemeteries (some of which I have show in other posts). The two photographs below, are overviews from two of the cemeteries in Leeds.

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by a husband and wife. They found my website, and a post I had written about Leeds, and the cemeteries my relatives are buried in, when they were doing an online research regarding Leeds. They were in Leeds, having traveled there from the U.S., at the time of contacting me. They were going to go to a cemetery (the following day), for a Matzevah/unveiling of a gravestone for her mother. They had contacted me wanting to know if I would like them to take photographs and videos of the gravestones of my important family members, while they were there.

You can only imagine my surprise, and the emotions that ran through me, after reading their email. I was so touched, and sat at my desk, reading their email, in a state of shock and emotion. Out of the blue this wonderful and thoughtful act of human kindness presented itself into my life. What a Mitzvah that was. The thought behind it, alone, is one.

Thank you so very much, Cipra and Scott for your kind and thoughtful way of being. You have no idea how your offer touched me. I have great faith in humanity, and your wonderful act of kindness cemented that on a deeper level. Although we are not related in a familial manner, we now are connected through the same cemeteries, that our individual relatives are buried in. There is common ground between us, and that commonality literally crossed oceans, while you were in Leeds. Any time I am in Leeds and visit the cemeteries, I will think of the both of you, and your thoughtfulness. Cipra, I hope we are able to meet this summer. May the memory of your mother be for a Loving Blessing.
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In other issues, I received a review copy of Who by Fire, by Diana Spechler. I had purchased the book a few days ago, and will send that copy on to my daughter. I have started reading it, and once I am finished will write my review. Thank you, Ms. Spechler.

I finished reading the book Bread Givers, by Anzia Yezierska, and will review it this week.

I purchased the “young adult” novel, Postcards from No Man’s Land, by Aidan Chambers, even though I am not considered a young adult, by any stretch of the imagination. I read books in every genre, and for every age group. This one sounded like an excellent story line. Once I finish it, I will pass it along to my daughter. I bought this at a library sale.
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Monday March 30, 2009 – 5th of Nisan, 5769