Temple Sinai

Today while I was out and about, I stopped to have lunch at Panera, and a woman approached my table rather shyly and embarrassedly. She said, I know this is a very strange question — and at first I thought it flashed through my mind that she was going to ask me something about Sarah’s death, and then I thought she was going to ask me if I color my hair, and who does it, or something like that. And then she asked me if I ever worked as a teacher at Temple Sinai Pre-School.

I said no, I’m sorry, and she said “Well, you look exactly like someone who worked there when my kids were little,” and I laughed politely and said “I’m sorry” again and she rushed off. And I sat and thought that I really am off my game, because I wished I had just said yes, and asked her kids’ names, and she could have told me how Jordan and Michelle are doing these days, or whatever their names are. And whatever colleges they are going to, Cincinnati State or Wesleyan or Montgomery College, and I could have sent a big hug and kiss from Ms. Mordechai, or whatever name I made up for myself. I really could have run with it.

I looked up Temple Sinai Pre-School when I got home. At Temple Sinai Pre-School, through gentle facilitation, attention to individual needs, respect for unique learning styles and temperaments, our children grow in self-confidence and in the ability to relate to one another. In a safe and secure learning environment our children develop their curiosity and learn to experience the world in an expansive way. At the core of our program is a belief in the importance of developing strong social-emotional skills during these magical years of early childhood.

I want to go there myself.

I really wish I could start over sometimes. Just do it all again. Rewrite my whole autobiography.