Sunday, February 28, 2010

Queen Esther...

"Go and gather all the Jews in Shushan, Fast for me: do not eat or drink for three days and nights. My girls and I will also fast. Then I'll go to the king -- against the law -- and if I am killed, I will be the only one killed." The Book of Esther 4:16

We followed the Jewish calendar the year before our 2nd daughters birth. With a Seder at Passover, and the start of our Easter morning tradition of going to the zoo . The High Holidays in Fall were met with the need to find many days of alternative daycare, as school was closed. We spent December preparing for Hanukkah -- with a concert and baking potato latkas and lighting the Menorah with friends. We spent some Friday evenings eating a Shabbat meal with our neighbors. We bought Challah bread from our corner kosher bakery. Eloise gave a blessing in Hebrew before many meals -- saying in her sweet 2 year old voice "Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai..."

So it was on the last weekend of February 2005, Eloise and I were busy in the kitchen baking Hamantashen and preparing her costume for the Purim celebration. We read many stories of Queen Esther saving the Jews. How brave, strong, wise and compassionate this queen was. Queen Esther put her own life on the line to convince the King to save the Jews and punish the evil Haman.

Purim is the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar -- celebrated with parties and costumes. It is the ultimate triumph of good versus evil.

Purim is today, Esther's birthday. Our Esther.


Eloise chose her sisters name. Queen Esther - the brave. An original strong woman. The hidden and bright morning star to be literal.

The week after Esther's birth, I marched with Eloise in the Purim parade at the Jewish Community Center - - with my newborn blond hair, blue-eyed baby in my arms. Over and over, the women we met would ask "what is your beautiful new daughter's name?"

"Esther!" I would say strongly. Every time they would meet my eyes and pause, with a nod and a smile, giving complete approval. All agreed that she was indeed an Esther.

That this Esther, given this important name, would indeed brave, compassionate and wise. This Esther gave us reason for complete joy and celebration. And nobody likes a party more than Esther.

And she will be our shining morning star. Forever.

Happy Birthday our Queen Esther.

We Love You,
Mom



13 comments:

ginny said...

Happy Birthday my sweet Queen Esther. Wish I were there to celebrate your birthday with you. That was such a nice story and one she will love forever knowing how she was named.

Melanie said...

Such a beautiful post about your little Queen. Happy birthday, Esther!

Tina said...

What an awesome story, Tracy! Thanks for Sharing!!! happy Birthday Queen Esther!I know her day will be an awesome one! :0)

Rachelle said...

What a great story, what a beautiful and strong and compassionate and sweet little girl. And her name, most appropriate. Love this!

Tifani said...

What a perfect, beautiful name for you girl. Many happy birthday wishes to Esther!

jill R said...

Wow, all I can say is wow. Such a wonderful story behind how she got her name. I love it.

Happy birthday indeed, Queen Esther.

Jennk said...

Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing her story.

Anonymous said...

"and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Tracy said...

Esther 4:14 - powerful, Michelle. Thank you.

Amanda M. said...

A perfect name befitting the perfect little Queen! Happy Birthday to your sweet Queen Esther!

Tracy said...

Wonderful Tracy and delightful and fitting of miss Esther. Happy Birthday 5 year old.

Melanie said...

This is a beautiful post Tracy! Thanks for sharing the story of your Esther & how her name came to be. A great name is a precious gift!
Hope that you have had fun celebrating your sweet girl's number 5!!!

Kristi Pohl said...

and here I thought it was just to confuse me with yet another friend named Tracy naming her daughter with a vowel...LOVED the story! Hope it was a day full of fun-looking forward to Saturday!

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