Today I am proudly sharing my son Rafi’s thoughts on COVID:19. I think you will agree he is more able than I to express his heartfelt feelings about these troubling times.
I feel so lucky to have Rafi, his lovely wife Chandra, and my brilliant, wonderful grandson Remy, whom they are raising so well, in my life. (Do I sound like a grandma???)
Here’s what Rafi wrote. I thank him for allowing me to share it with you.
I tend not to pray
I hope, I wish, I ask, I wonder
But pray I have chosen to not
Today, however, I find myself hungering for a prayer
A prayer for the homeless and the housed, the young and the old, the unknown and the celebrated, the powerless and the powerful
A prayer for those less fortunate and for those who have more
This crisis brings us into balance, the fear heightens our commonality, and the unknown leaves us without answers. All of us. Together
As we face this adversary, we are all on equal footing – we sit in isolation, we work, we learn, we argue and love in virtual worlds. All of us. Together
Today tests our sense of accomplishment, our goals and ambitions for the future
For why be earnest if tomorrow never comes? Why begin when the end is nigh?
Why? Because we are in this. All of us. Together.
I hunger for and have found my prayer
It is in the sun that rises and sets, in the blossoms that are born in the spring, and in the “we” that perseveres
It is that hope is a harbinger of these cycles’ continuum
It is that in my wife, my son, and our extended families I find happiness when there seems none to have
It is that we can find community in friends old and new, and in neighbors who leave a loaf of homemade bread at your door
It is from the hugs that will be had and the glasses that will be clinked
It is from the fact that tomorrow brings with it the potential for more than what exists today

Chandra, Remy and Rafi
I tend not to pray
I hope, I wish, I ask, I wonder
But pray, I have been chosen to
By: Rafi Kauffmann
Very thoughtful of him. And your son’s family looks adorable. 😊😊😊👌👌👌
They ARE adorable, and I love them all three. I could not ask for better. Stay well.
I know.. Stay safe all of you..😊
Thank you. You too….
Thank you for sharing, this is so lovely!
You have a beautiful family.
Thank you Margie: I know and I treasure them all.
Beautiful, my brother.
Indeed Susan: I’m so glad Rafi let me use it here. It expresses so much so well. Love ya, Maughm
So well-said
I agree Jaya: And, it is very close to his heart. Take care of you please.
You, too, stay safe, Muriel. Trying times for all.
Beautiful and insightful words and thoughts.
Thanks Neil: I asked him to let me share it here because I agree. Take care of you and your family.
Hope, optimism, however we wish or will it or pray for it.
Hugs, happiness and love….
Gary
xx
Hi Gary:
Thanks for reading. Thanks for your comment and good wishes. We got together today *me on my brand=new computer) with the family. I was hoping to see you participate. Will you be able to in the future? Love back at you…
Over a year later, and Rafa’s words are more relevant than ever before. Stay safe
I agree. Unfortunately the pandemic continues to take lives. Let’s all hope for better soon. Cheers, Muriel