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| Sukkot Full Moon, shines as bright as a diamond |
This gem of a true story begins with a tired old mailbox, or maybe with a marriage since a wedding ring is involved, or maybe with the moon. Married couples “Jack and Darlene” and “Grace and Mike” are neighbors and friends. Their heroics include surviving the COVID pandemic together (including one back porch hunt-&-clip haircut to attend a grandson’s Brit Milah); tactfully dealing with an angry bulging-biceps body-building neighbor (who fortunately flew out of town months later); furnace fixes and plumbing challenges; garden excavations and nail-biting neighborhood snowplow resolutions; and other varied and sometimes comedic situations. Because a 40+-year-old wedding ring weaves into this story, sentimental feelings filter through this antics-filled “I Love Lucy” episode. But holding to hope and feeling visible are key take-aways.
Early fall is in the air, the time of trees turning skylines from shades of green to gorgeous crimson and gold. Moderate temps provide low sweat-factors, inviting even the least handy do-it-yourselfers to tackle daytime outdoor tasks. All summer long Go-getter Grace has wanted her worn 40-year-old mailbox replaced. Years ago, Hubby Mike assisted Grace’s dearly departed Dad, skillfully planting that mailbox to survive windstorms and earthquakes.
Retired Mike is handy-impaired, and Jack isn’t handy either. How many PhD’s does it take to replace the old mailbox? At least two, but hopefully someone somewhere has nimble enough fingers to keep from accidentally dropping any of the package-provided unique nuts down into the cylinder post, to create a backlash of extra work and choice words.
With the loan of a neighbor’s posthole digger, the two begin the task of planting the shiny new letter drop level and straight. A third set of hands happens to stroll by with his dog that is ready to christen the post, a neighbor whose fingers are nimble! The challenge is on.
It is a clear and sunny Sunday afternoon, the day after Saturday Shabbat, and at sundown begins 7-day Jewish holiday Sukkot. That bit of trivia is not trivial, because Mike and Grace observe the holiday (which parallels a 7-day wedding feast). Sukkot commemorates God’s miraculous provision for the biblical Israelites when they wandered 40 years in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. To survive, God provided daytime shade and nighttime heat for extreme desert temperatures, and sustaining daily manna and quail, and shoes that did not wear out, and materials to build temporary sukkah structures for privacy and mobility.
It is a clear and sunny Sunday afternoon, the day after Saturday Shabbat, and at sundown begins 7-day Jewish holiday Sukkot. That bit of trivia is not trivial, because Mike and Grace observe the holiday (which parallels a 7-day wedding feast). Sukkot commemorates God’s miraculous provision for the biblical Israelites when they wandered 40 years in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. To survive, God provided daytime shade and nighttime heat for extreme desert temperatures, and sustaining daily manna and quail, and shoes that did not wear out, and materials to build temporary sukkah structures for privacy and mobility.
In years past Mike and Grace built temporary Sukkot sukkahs with their young children. Now, their grown children have children of their own, so invites to Jewish friends’ sukkahs for yearly Sukkot meals is how they celebrate. Planting today's mailbox, provision, timing, feeling visible, and Sukkot holiday beginning at sundown; they all blend together in this story, like ingredients for a tasty Kosher soup.
Mike and Jack fumble through mixing concrete to secure the mailbox post, asking tens of times, “Is it wet enough?” like children in a car blindly questioning, "Are we there yet?"
Mike and Jack fumble through mixing concrete to secure the mailbox post, asking tens of times, “Is it wet enough?” like children in a car blindly questioning, "Are we there yet?"
Finally, Mike prepares to carefully scoop concrete into the slim mailbox hole. Grace and Darlene sit on the sidelines front porch providing water for the powdered mixture and cheering them on, but mostly just observing and problem-searching. “The jeweler will put a new diamond into my wedding ring this week” says Grace.
“I had hoped our cannister vacuum would suck up the diamond,” replies problem-solver Darlene.
Their dialogue about jewelers, diamonds, and (of all random things) vacuums is odd sounding but actually part of a mini-drama that has played out for 2 weeks. The backstory started when Grace lost her wedding diamond, a gem that many moons ago Meticulous Mike carefully selected for his bride (getting a deal as well). Grace lost the gem around the days of a most important fall holiday, Rosh Hashanah.
“I had hoped our cannister vacuum would suck up the diamond,” replies problem-solver Darlene.
Their dialogue about jewelers, diamonds, and (of all random things) vacuums is odd sounding but actually part of a mini-drama that has played out for 2 weeks. The backstory started when Grace lost her wedding diamond, a gem that many moons ago Meticulous Mike carefully selected for his bride (getting a deal as well). Grace lost the gem around the days of a most important fall holiday, Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is celebrated annually, as the head of the Jewish year and is announced by blowing a shofar horn 100 notes to begin the two High Holy Days in fall. It is a time of contemplation and introspection and prepares Jews for the next Holy Day, Yom Kippur (the Shabbat of Shabbats and holiest day of the year) and then 5 days later follows the 7-day holiday Sukkot, with Shemini Atzeret on the tail end of four almost back-to-back fall holidays. Sadly, the precious gem was lost during the busy days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Did the gem dislodge from its prongs during her youngest son’s visit for the holidays? Or did Grace lose it after one of her regular bike rides when removing her biking glove from the hand that dons the ring? Or was the gem bumped and lost some other way? Truly, finding that missing diamond, IF it could be found, would be like the odds of finding a needle in a haystack or George Bailey lassoing the moon [It's a Wonderful Life]! That tiny gem could be anywhere.
Bystanders Darlene and Jack hold to hope. At one point early on, the clever neighbors believed that surely if it fell out in the house, loaning their trusty vacuum to suck it up would work. As the gem clicked into the plastic cannister, voila! It would be found. Grace thought, “Fat chance, vacuums with no disposable bags seem like spewing dust receptacles, but at least our floors will get thoroughly cleaned...”
So, despite prejudices about cannister vacuums, Grace borrowed the dust sucker anyway and proceeded to vacuum. Sadly, no diamond. Every day Grace examined the asphalt driveway where she dismounted from her regular bike rides. No diamond, and the chances of finding it seemed slim-to-none. “It’s useless. That tiny diamond could be anywhere. I will contact the insurance company, and our jeweler can guesstimate its value.”
Jack, and sometimes Darlene, still believe the diamond will be found, somehow, someway. Months earlier, the impossible was performed for another neighbor, a retired widow, when Jack casually searched for and found her lost driver’s license in a random bush a block away. [Mr. Rogers' ¯Please won't you be my neighbor¯ is lauded by some, with Jack in mind]. So, for a while, recalling that unusual find helped Darlene vacillate between hope and “glad they have it insured.”
Immediately, like metal attracted to a magnetic pull, Darlene's eyes are drawn to a tiny sparkle emanating from a crevice in the gray asphalt. She does a double take, because a few days earlier in afternoon light she spotted something similar, very close to that same area, but the tease ended up being a tiny piece of worthless glass. She skeptically walks toward today’s sparkle and picks it up saying, “Probably not… surely my weak eyes are deceiving me… Maybe… Ringo! I think it is your diamond!!!”
“No way,” says Grace as she examines it. “Wow and yep… It is my diamond!!! How on earth did you see it? Mike and I both looked in that area a hundred times!”
“Let’s say it is a Sukkot miracle" replies Darlene.
In hindsight, the circumstances of the find add up to more than a fluke. One way or another, a diamond was going to be reset into Grace's ring. A diamond that might have even had a higher dollar value. But isn't it more interesting that the original diamond was returned to its original setting. Like fate was involved along with something deeper. An exclamation point was added to the story for dramatic effect... approximately one hour into the first evening of Sukkot (the beginning of a celebration that parallels a 7-day Jewish wedding feast), of all days and times to see the diamond's sparkle.
Bystanders Darlene and Jack hold to hope. At one point early on, the clever neighbors believed that surely if it fell out in the house, loaning their trusty vacuum to suck it up would work. As the gem clicked into the plastic cannister, voila! It would be found. Grace thought, “Fat chance, vacuums with no disposable bags seem like spewing dust receptacles, but at least our floors will get thoroughly cleaned...”
So, despite prejudices about cannister vacuums, Grace borrowed the dust sucker anyway and proceeded to vacuum. Sadly, no diamond. Every day Grace examined the asphalt driveway where she dismounted from her regular bike rides. No diamond, and the chances of finding it seemed slim-to-none. “It’s useless. That tiny diamond could be anywhere. I will contact the insurance company, and our jeweler can guesstimate its value.”
Jack, and sometimes Darlene, still believe the diamond will be found, somehow, someway. Months earlier, the impossible was performed for another neighbor, a retired widow, when Jack casually searched for and found her lost driver’s license in a random bush a block away. [Mr. Rogers' ¯Please won't you be my neighbor¯ is lauded by some, with Jack in mind]. So, for a while, recalling that unusual find helped Darlene vacillate between hope and “glad they have it insured.”
A Hallmark Channel movie, set in beautiful Hawaii, about a precious gem lost in the ocean close to the shore and found after much searching inspired Darlene to continue to believe, for a while. In fact, after a walk with Grace, knee bends were not performed for exercise, stretching, or praying. With her cell phone flashlight, Darlene closely searched the grass by the backyard gate (knowing that Grace is into pulling grass, but that is another story). No diamond. “Maybe if I come over to search the grass after dark with your garage lights on…”
“Ya, too bad we haven’t found the diamond. Like I said, it could be anywhere! Fortunately, it is insured” says Grace, weary of searching.
With today’s mailbox task complete… fit neatly into its hole and most importantly, level and straight, Mike and Grace are ready to observe the holiday Sukkot. Darlene and Jack head home for Sunday evening tasks. Darlene looks forward to the beautiful evening and sitting on her back porch to view the moon. She loosely observes Sukkot, in her own non-Jewish way. Instead of building a temporary sukkah with 3 walls and a semi-airy roof to view the stars and reflect on God's provision with visual reminders of temporary, her permanent and solid-roof, screened-in back porch is adequate. She views the Sukkot full moon as it rises, peeking through a neighbor’s pine trees, bright and mesmerizing with stars twinkling in the perfectly clear skies.
Then, like a shooting star grabs one's attention, the exchange that redirects the course of that Sukkot evening occurs. “I’m coming over to bring you and Jack a treat,” texts kosher baker-extraordinaire Grace.
Darlene decides to meet halfway, walking eastward, thoroughly entranced by the full moon and striking constellations. “Let’s walk towards the Sukkot full moon, and while we’re at it, check that no one has skewed the mailbox as the concrete is setting.”
Grace captures the celestial fireball with her cell phone camera. “Wow! That is a picture!”
Heading back, they see Jack walking towards them, with hands in his pockets and a skip in his step, like something fishy is up. Instead of meeting them, he turns left into Grace's driveway. “What are you doing?” ask the curious two.
“I am going to find that diamond!” proclaims Jack the sleuth.
Grace and Darlene follow Jack, but skeptical thoughts run rampant, “Fat chance. We have hunted lots of times, and with Hurricane Ian’s rains, and the lawnmower being run recently, too...”
“Ya, too bad we haven’t found the diamond. Like I said, it could be anywhere! Fortunately, it is insured” says Grace, weary of searching.
With today’s mailbox task complete… fit neatly into its hole and most importantly, level and straight, Mike and Grace are ready to observe the holiday Sukkot. Darlene and Jack head home for Sunday evening tasks. Darlene looks forward to the beautiful evening and sitting on her back porch to view the moon. She loosely observes Sukkot, in her own non-Jewish way. Instead of building a temporary sukkah with 3 walls and a semi-airy roof to view the stars and reflect on God's provision with visual reminders of temporary, her permanent and solid-roof, screened-in back porch is adequate. She views the Sukkot full moon as it rises, peeking through a neighbor’s pine trees, bright and mesmerizing with stars twinkling in the perfectly clear skies.
Then, like a shooting star grabs one's attention, the exchange that redirects the course of that Sukkot evening occurs. “I’m coming over to bring you and Jack a treat,” texts kosher baker-extraordinaire Grace.
Darlene decides to meet halfway, walking eastward, thoroughly entranced by the full moon and striking constellations. “Let’s walk towards the Sukkot full moon, and while we’re at it, check that no one has skewed the mailbox as the concrete is setting.”
Grace captures the celestial fireball with her cell phone camera. “Wow! That is a picture!”
Heading back, they see Jack walking towards them, with hands in his pockets and a skip in his step, like something fishy is up. Instead of meeting them, he turns left into Grace's driveway. “What are you doing?” ask the curious two.
“I am going to find that diamond!” proclaims Jack the sleuth.
Grace and Darlene follow Jack, but skeptical thoughts run rampant, “Fat chance. We have hunted lots of times, and with Hurricane Ian’s rains, and the lawnmower being run recently, too...”
Intent Jack performs yoga-like stretches, searching with his cell phone's flashlight around the parked bike inside the dim-lit garage. On the other hand, Darlene remains on the driveway, where she can see the heavens, away from the action. She still wistfully dreams of the find, yet her faith meter is dwindling. Entranced by the full moon’s radiance, her gaze can't help but drift to the moonlit driveway, "Why not look here, where I can see better.” Hers is a casual strategy that is either ditzy or wise. But yet, she is on the verge of being a random participant in an object lesson or metaphor.
Immediately, like metal attracted to a magnetic pull, Darlene's eyes are drawn to a tiny sparkle emanating from a crevice in the gray asphalt. She does a double take, because a few days earlier in afternoon light she spotted something similar, very close to that same area, but the tease ended up being a tiny piece of worthless glass. She skeptically walks toward today’s sparkle and picks it up saying, “Probably not… surely my weak eyes are deceiving me… Maybe… Ringo! I think it is your diamond!!!”
“No way,” says Grace as she examines it. “Wow and yep… It is my diamond!!! How on earth did you see it? Mike and I both looked in that area a hundred times!”
“Let’s say it is a Sukkot miracle" replies Darlene.
But they wonder if the diamond is damaged after being outdoors in the elements for 2 weeks. Grace scurries to show Mike the find. Days later a jeweler verifies that the diamond is in perfect condition; the insurance company pays the resetting fee; and Grace has her ring back looking as show-off shiny as on her wedding day. And her new mailbox stands straight as an arrow, too.
“Mike and I looked in that same driveway area over and over. The gray pitted asphalt has so many tight nooks and crannies. And with Hurricane Ian's days of rain, I can’t believe it didn't wash away.”
“I can’t believe it didn't wash away or get damaged or blown away by the mower," replies Darlene.
“Mike and I looked in that same driveway area over and over. The gray pitted asphalt has so many tight nooks and crannies. And with Hurricane Ian's days of rain, I can’t believe it didn't wash away.”
“I can’t believe it didn't wash away or get damaged or blown away by the mower," replies Darlene.
Except for Sukkot miracles, and, after 2 weeks of failed searches, someone's crazy faith compelled one last perfectly timed full moon hunt. Grace's wedding ring looks like new, and the insurance company should send "the Ricardos" an alohim yabrech youto note for their beyond "beating the bushes" honesty.
In hindsight, the circumstances of the find add up to more than a fluke. One way or another, a diamond was going to be reset into Grace's ring. A diamond that might have even had a higher dollar value. But isn't it more interesting that the original diamond was returned to its original setting. Like fate was involved along with something deeper. An exclamation point was added to the story for dramatic effect... approximately one hour into the first evening of Sukkot (the beginning of a celebration that parallels a 7-day Jewish wedding feast), of all days and times to see the diamond's sparkle.
All gears were already set in motion, with paperwork completed and approved to move forward in the next day or two to select a new diamond for her setting (on the insurance company's tab). A prized opportunity was almost missed, and yet the timing was perfectly right, to experience an ideal word picture or parable of what was done for the Israelites thousands of years ago. God provided for their need in the desert, when they needed and what they needed.
And in this modern-day non-fiction, Grace (a/k/a Lucy) is reminded... God sees me and knows my need. God knows our true, today need. Not supernatural morning manna and twilight quail for sustenance, or daytime desert cloud and nighttime pillars of fire for extreme temperatures and guidance (like in the Torah)... or, a brand-new diamond (for the ending of this story)... but a Sukkot full moon and a lost diamond to combine and shine brightly for a meaningful setting to be reunited to create a celestial story about a wedding ring.
Grace lived out a personal and stimulating Sukkot metaphor. She might one day share the non-fiction with her grandchildren titled, "I Do Love Lucy" and subtitled, "To the Moon and Back" [God wink😉]. His love and sense of humor are alive and well. With a dose or two of hope, in many situations, timing is everything.
And maybe, just maybe, Jack and Darlene’s continued hope isn’t so crazy after all… the hope and timing for other “losts” to be found. The idea of lost is not limited to but does include my dreamy purpose for blogging, explained 10 years ago and trumpeted under my picture in "About Me" (see the sidebar at the top of this blog): I am finding my found.
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