on the occasion of our daughter Diana’s becoming a Bat Mitzvah
June 8, 2002
28 Sivan 5762
I dreamed a daughter into life,
a child with a flower face,
who danced in my arms in the
midnight rocking chair.
In the year before words,
our eyes spoke their own language.
In the bedroom dark, I saw
how much you already knew.
I wanted to see how your road would wander,
how wide and smooth I could build it.
Instead, I’ve watched how you’ve walked your own way,
climbed unexpected mountains,
looked for the challenge of the steeper rock face,
celebrated the downhill runs.
We go along the path with you,
your father and I.
We watch you embrace your world,
move into your future.
Look around this room,
rejoice in how your family and friends
are one and the same.
Reach for their hands;
they walk on your path, too.
May you always find such
companions to dance your dance with you,
the dance of eager mind,
willow body, tender heart,
passionate soul.
