Daughters and the Fiddler

This past weekend, two of my daughters and their guys along with my husband and I went to see Fiddler on the Roof. Oh how I love that play! Throughout high school and college, I had a great affinity for theatre and sometimes found myself on stage reciting lines to some pretty amazing works. One of them was Fiddler and my cute boyfriend Pat even joined me during our high school production of Fiddler - he served as the Innkeeper, I was one of Tevye's daughters. This work above all others, affected my life in a very positive way.

How fun it was to sing along with the songs, reciting lines I still remembered from 35 years ago! (how in the world can I be this old?)And what a delight to share this wonderful show with my daughters! Pat and I squeezed each others' hands as tears welled in our eyes during the tender moments of Hodel leaving Anatevka and Tevye making the difficult decision of separating himself from his beloved Chava. And my family all looked at me in the darkness of the theatre knowing that I was crying during the most beautiful of all the scenes, the Sabbath Prayer:

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be
In Israel a shining name.

May you be like Ruth and like Esther.
May you be deserving of praise.
Strengthen them, Oh Lord,
And keep them from the strangers' ways.

May God bless you and grant you long lives.
(May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you.)
May God make you good mothers and wives.
(May He send you husbands who will care for you.)

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May the Lord preserve you from pain.
Favor them, Oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen.

Isn't this the prayer we have for all of our precious daughters? I hope that you are praying for your daughters' future husbands today and everyday.

Thank you Sheldon Hanrick for the beautiful lyrics of the songs in Fiddler. Consider renting this movie and enjoying it with your family.

Until next time.....Patti