Today’s blog post will not be much about puzzling, although I will throw a couple of pics in there just because it is, always and truly, a puzzle blog after all.

In a few short hours, my family will celebrate my youngest son Cole as he is called to the Torah to become a Bar Mitzvah. I’m not Jewish myself so you’ll have to bear with me as I may not have all of this correct, but from what I do understand of being married to an amazing Jewish man for 22 years and going through the Bar Mitzvah celebration for my oldest son, Derek, 3.5 years ago, I will do my best to give a very simple overview of what it’s all about.

In the Jewish faith, when a boy or girl reaches the age of 13, they become a bar / bat mitzvah and in the eyes of Jewish law go from being a child to being an adult. Though based on the maturity level of most 13 year olds, I would have to question the complete validity to this.🤣 Typically there is a ceremony that is held in a synagogue or other venue in some cases where the bar / bat mitzvah child is “called to the Torah” and reads a passage based on the day the event is happening (typically on or very close to the child’s 13th birthday). This passage is read in Hebrew. There are several blessings led by the Rabbi and the Bar Mitzvah child may also write a speech to translate what he has just read in Hebrew into English so anyone not familiar with Hebrew can understand what they just heard. It can sound a bit like Klingon if you’ve not experienced someone reading in Hebrew before. LOL

Isn’t he adorable?!

After the ceremony there is typically a reception type of party to celebrate the coming of age for the Bar Mitsvah boy. There are blessings for wine and food before any type of meal is served and then there are sometimes more speeches (like for Randy and I as his parents and Derek as Cole’s brother). The rest of the event moves along much like a wedding reception with dancing, games, etc.

We are expecting 61 people for the event today and have spent many months planning it out step by step. In addition to the Bar Mitzvah day itself, we are also inviting the out of town guests (which is most of them) to a more casual mixer event the night before where we will serve appetizers and drinks. Then, the day after the Bar Mitzvah for anyone left in town, we are hosting a Sunday brunch.at our house. It will be a fun, but extremely exhausting three-day event.

Now for a little more about my Bar Mitzvah boy! Cole is a super sweet, smart, very funny, sensitive and caring kid. He absolutely loves technology, music, and lives, eats, and breathes basketball. He is extremely well versed in player stats, who’s trading which players to another team, and can rattle off NBA legends and lesser known players like nobody’s business.

In addition to being the lovable goofball he is, he is my one child that likes to do jigsaw puzzles. He and I put together many puzzles when he was little. Anything superhero related greatly appealed to him and we have spent many an hour working on them. Since becoming a little more “teen” like over the last few years that bonding time over puzzles has diminished quite a bit, but he will usually come into my office an put in a piece or two on most puzzles that are on the board. I always cherish these times when we get to spend quality time together.

Here are a few of my puzzling moments with my adorable Colie Molie.

I taught him to do the “puzzle rub”, and he enjoys it, but not nearly as much as he likes deconstructing a puzzle that’s been finished. Can’t say as I blame him though. That is a pretty fun activity.

I took these two pics a few years apart, and I’m thinking now I should take another one that’s current. Of course neither one can fit in the box anymore, but I’m sure I could come up with a cute way to show the progress nonetheless.

So many happy memories tied up in these photos, and I am sure there will be many more new ones coming later today.

Cole, don’t ever change who you are — Love you to puzzle pieces, buddy!