I may never touch ground after yesterday. I will try to hover down here near the keyboard for long enough to tell you what a soul-lifting experience Pete's Bar Mitzvah was.
Pete's been working hard since the beginning of October preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. When his friends were playing sports or computer games, he was having tutoring sessions at the temple. (For those who don't live in a city with a 30% Jewish population as I do and thus have not been to hundreds of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs over the years, the ceremony marks the fact that the child has reached adulthood in the eyes of the community and is ready to take on all the responsibilities that entails. It also means that he or she gets the honor, for the first time, of leading the congregation in prayer by chanting and teaching from the Torah. Suffice it to say: It's a big deal.)
Like most 13-year-old kids, Pete was not exactly thrilled at the prospect of getting up in front of all his friends and extended family members to sing and speak. And many of you know from blog posts of years past that unlike most 13-year-olds, Pete is a stutterer, so any kind of public speaking event is more of a challenge for him than for others. Pete's been stuttering since about kindergarten, and the various speech pathologists he's seen all suggest that it's likely he always will.
But here's the thing: Although he certainly wishes he didn't stutter, he doesn't let it stop him from doing anything. He has a million friends. And a girlfriend (whoops, you didn't hear that from me). His teachers report that he never hesitates to participate in school, even volunteering to act out a scene or make a presentation. He readily answers the phone, which is normally the last thing a stutterer wants to do. Etc. And everyone who knows him just knows that that's a part of who he is, and they couldn't care less.
But it did mean that Pete had to work a lot harder than most kids to prepare for his Bar Mitzvah, and it was not necessarily easy or fun. And guess what? He hit it out of the park yesterday. Whether in Hebrew or English, speaking or singing, he did everything the best I'd ever heard him in any practice session. Sure, he got "stuck" a few times, but he persevered. And when he finished and breathed a very visible and audible sigh of relief, I think everyone had to sit on their hands to not applaud (which you just don't do at a Bar Mitzvah, even if you really really really want to).
Andy and I had to prepare a little speech, a blessing of sorts, and the whole thing was about how Pete is quite possibly the nicest person either of us has ever met. He has a truly good heart, and there's a sweetness about him that people have always been drawn to. And probably going along with that is the fact that he's a very emotional kid. At several points during the service—particularly when Andy and I were up there with him, delivering our blessing—his eyes filled with tears. And then mine did. And then Andy's did. And before you knew it, there was not a dry eye in the sanctuary. And it was all because everyone was so happy and proud of this great kid. (Yes, I'm crying again.)
Oh yeah, and then we had the best party ever, details of which will come.
I'm still waiting for the photographer to email me a few photos, but luckily our dear friend Chris (Dad of Pete's pal Timmy) snapped several hundred at the party and uploaded them as soon as he got home. (He does the same thing after every school or sports event, too—just another reason we're glad that Pete is friends with Timmy!) First, the proud and happy parents:
And then the Bar Mitzvah boy himself (having already removed his suit jacket and tie), along with his sisters (having already donned glitzy necklaces being handed out by the DJ):
Stay tuned for more....
Mazel tov!
Posted by: JP | June 10, 2012 at 06:23 PM
I am so pleased for you all. Such a sweet tribute to your son, and boy, what a handsome family in general! Mazel tov!
Posted by: Wendy | June 10, 2012 at 06:25 PM
I totally forgot that Pete stutters. Sounds like it didn't matter one whit. Mazel tov!!
Posted by: Mir | June 10, 2012 at 06:42 PM
Now you've got ME crying! What a beautiful ceremony.
Posted by: pam | June 10, 2012 at 06:57 PM
Mazel tov, Karen! Sounds like a fabulous day.
Posted by: Sheila | June 10, 2012 at 08:15 PM
I teared up reading this! It sounds like a huge day of wonderful.
Posted by: Tonya | June 10, 2012 at 08:26 PM
it really was the most special day! both of the boy there had faced challenges some of us will never know the depth of. and they performed and geve of themselves and we all benefited from seeing that.
the setting was so magical, with the music in the round inside and then outside in the trees. like a rennaisance festival. with lots of old souls hanging around , i think.
Posted by: jude | June 10, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Mazel Tov! What a beautiful post you wrote.
Posted by: Julie | June 10, 2012 at 09:33 PM
Glad it was a wonderful day. Sounds like you have a very special son. I grew up Catholic and really love hearing from you and my Jewish friends about your special traditions.
Posted by: Sharon Hofmann | June 10, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Congrats to Peter! Karen, you and Andy have so much to be proud of!
Posted by: Erin Brenner | June 11, 2012 at 09:40 AM
Congrats! What a handsome boy! Of course he has a girlfriend! Our first Bar Mitzvah is next April. Your son Pete sounds a lot like my son Ethan. I can't wait. Our tutoring starts in August. Bring it on!
Posted by: Rachel K | June 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Girlfriend? Not a shock. Look at him.
Posted by: scott | June 11, 2012 at 11:34 AM
My goodness, tears indeed. I am reaching for the Kleenex here, too. I'm so proud of Pete! And you and Andy! Your description was so touching, it sounds like it was wonderful. But that photo...I can't believe how grown-up your kids look. You have a beautiful family. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Katy | June 11, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Mazel tov! What a great day for your whole family. And ohmygawd Pete is handsome. He got the best features of both of you.
Posted by: Steve | June 11, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Mazel Tov! The best part about our kids growing up is that their accomplishments make us so proud! Your family is gorgeous! Congratulations!
Posted by: dana | June 11, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Congratulations! Your pride shines through the words.
Posted by: Marta | June 13, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Karen, Andy, and beautiful family,
I am so happy to be a part of this. You guys got it right!!!!!!!
Love, Linda
Posted by: Linda Marino | June 14, 2012 at 08:22 AM