Chapter 7 – The Giving of Light

Chapter 7 – The Giving of Light

GingerSnaps was snug as a bug in a rug, as she continued her extended winter nap. The days were too chilly and the nights too frosty for her tiny, shell self. Now she wasn’t technically a dinosaur, but she did in fact have dino-dreams thanks to Levi’s nickname of “my little dinosaur.” In her dreams she was huge and all feared her. In real life, the only thing huge about her was her heart. She’d awaken just enough to brainstorm Hanukkah gifts for Levi. Yet, the struggle was real – motivation was on vacation, and GingerSnaps was in full-on relaxation mode!

Levi continued opening his gifts from his favorite cousin, David, as a few days of Hanukkah passed. Each one was as special as the last. Levi had not stimmed anymore when opening the gifts, but rather felt blessed and excited each time. Each gift seemed to ease his grieving. And with each gift, the family tension of David being of a different sect of Judaism seemed to dissolve. An awareness that even though we were not the same sect, we all loved Hashem. Nobody could mistake that. David unquestionably loved the Father and Yisrael, where he was born and raised.

Part of being Jewish is tzedakah, as Hashem commands Jews to be a light to the nations and to love their neighbor. There are sayings common to Jews that charity equals all other commandments and deeds of kindness weigh as much as all the commandments. How is that so? Well charity and kindness are sacrificial love. One of the gifts that David gave to Levi was a hand painted plaque of his favorite Scripture in Hebrew which basically translates in English to, “And what does Hashem require of you, but to do justice and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your Elohim.”

When Levi was in Israel, David would take him to help those who could not help themselves, informing him that is what this Scripture is talking about: doing justice and loving kindness. It is action. It is good deeds.

“Dad and Mamma, how will I fulfill the Scripture on this plaque during Hanukkah? David said ‘love and kindness walk, not just talk.’”

Levis parents thought this was a great idea. Levi’s Savta and Nonna suggested they could help him fry some Hanukkah treats and deliver them to the hungry. Levi couldn’t wait to get started. And so together, with flour and laughter floating throughout the kitchen they made sufganiyot for the local homeless shelter. He wasn’t just using one of his grandmother’s recipes. He was making the recipe with Nonna and Savta, which is a million times better. A memory he would NEVER forget.

The family, armed with boxes of sufganiyot, ventured to the shelter, where the harsh reality of homelessness collided with the warmth of their offering. Approaching the shelter’s entrance with joy, Levi’s enthusiasm suddenly waned and he almost dropped his box of sufganiyot. His face contorted into a grimace, a physical manifestation of the abrupt shift in his emotions. On instinct, Levi clamped his hand over his nose, attempting to shield himself from the onslaught of repugnant odors. Yet, no hand could temper the gut punch he experienced as an invisible wave of unpleasantness engulfed him. Then the ebb and flow of his stomach contents up into his throat. Nonno Cantarini, recognizing Levi’s discomfort, placed a gentle hand on his grandson’s back, a silent reassurance that echoed louder than words. Levi gulped and his compassion pushed him forward. This was not unlike what his cousin David had shared with him, “the command to love kindness requires more than what we would require of ourselves.”

Most of the homeless people were so grateful and their eyes hoped for seconds. They thought it was even better than a jelly donut. Indeed, it was. Because it was made with love just for them, and served with kindness. When Levi witnessed the brokenness of the homeless people, he was moved with compassion and desired to do even more for them.

He met a quiet boy named Zane and his dog. Levi knew what it was to feel awkward. Trying to make conversation, Levi asked Zane if his dog was good at playing fetch? Zane explained that he just recently found the stray dog who needed a home, too. While conversing about their pets, Zane’s dog reached into the box and took the last of the sufganiyot. The boys laughed together and Levi said he couldn’t blame him, after all they are delicious.

Then Levi showed the boy photos of his pets including his little dinosaur, GingerSnaps. Zane was amused at Levi calling her a little dinosaur. He inquired if GingerSnaps can snap off Levi’s finger? It was a sincere question. So Levi explained more about GingerSnaps being a box turtle which is not the same as a snapping turtle. However, she had snapped him once on his thumb when he was feeding her strawberries. He said it felt more like a pinch, but that he thought is was so cute to see her snap.

That night, Levi spent extra time in prayer asking Hashem to help the people they served that day. He also thanked Hashem for providing work and a home for his own family. As he drifted into sleep, one question lingered, “Does GingerSnaps ever think of me?”

In her cozy brumation chamber, GingerSnaps felt the subtle warming. She speculated if it was Spring yet. She longed to see Levi again, and the beautiful pansies he had planted for her. She thought to herself that all ornate box turtles should have such a safe and beautiful garden.

Morning brought unexpected good news as Levi’s parents received a call from the National Parks. Levi and GingerSnaps video essay won the contest. They are going to build a box turtle sanctuary at the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument with an educational section to communicate with people about box turtles and what to do if you find one in the wild. They begin the work in the Spring.

Levi bubbling with excitement couldn’t wait to share the news with GingerSnaps. Armed with a cardboard tube from the paper towels, he entered GingerSnaps enclosure. Sticking the cardboard roll into the opening of her brumation chamber, he whispered so as not to startle her, “GingerSnaps! We won the contest! Our video won! They are going to build a box turtle sanctuary at the Organ Mountains this Spring!!! Can you believe it? Oh, and another thing. I miss you so much. Happy Hanukkah, my little dinosaur! It’s day six! Tonight starts day seven.”

A warmer day than usual for December. Levi spent the day playing with his grandparents and cherishing all their wonderful tales of old. Levi’s friends from the synagogue and others from his school arrived at his house to play Maccabee Warriors with him. The men joined together to make a couple of scarecrow dummies for Levi and his friends to attack with their swords. And the women fried latkes for a treat with homemade cinnamon applesauce. Laughter blazed through the air as the boys chased each other around, while proclaiming that Hanukkah is undeniably amazing. What other holiday has swords and latkes?

GingerSnaps could feel the thud of the boys running around in the yard. She heard their laughter and conquering yells of, “I AM THE HAMMER!” She smiled knowing Levi was happy playing with friends. She understood nobody could replace her. She no longer felt jealous, after Levi had explained to her that when more people come into your life, it doesn’t mean less love, because it is divided up between more people. Your heart grows larger. And given to drama, she imagined what Levi might now look like as his heart grew larger than the house, in her TINY TURTLE MIND.

LET’S TALK:

How does the LIGHT help you with giving on this seventh night of Hanukkah?

FUN BOX TURTLE FACTS:

Did you know that box turtles have a super cool survival trick? When it gets really cold, they can slow down their heart and bodily functions. In fact, they can even survive with parts of their body frozen for short periods, like a real-life superhero enduring extreme temperatures!