Nicole wrote this poem after a particularly poignant dream. The image of Rachaeli secretly running and playing resonates deeply as I try to envision how her soul dances while her body lies flaccid in my arms…
I first read this translation of Psalm 22 at a conference for mental health professionals. Many of us were struggling with trying to heal others while we, ourselves, were hurting deeply. At the time, before my daughter?s diagnosis…
One morning when I arrived at synagogue for my morning prayers, I found a piece of paper lying adjacent to my usual seat. This poem/song was printed on it. I read it and…
These words were first written by Rav Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810), the patriarch of the Breslaver Chassidic movement. Rav Nachman found mystical significance in many of the simplest components of everyday life. His wisdom…
Noah Raphael Jarashow left this world on November 30th, 1999, after struggling with Tay-Sachs for 4 years. At his funeral, this letter, from his mother, Judi, was…
I don?t remember ever crying in the car before the day of Rachaeli?s diagnosis. I?m sure I must have, but I can?t recall any such occasion. Since that day, it seems that many songs bring me to tears. I spend more than an hour…
One of my dearest patients, a beautiful young woman named Holly, brought me this song on CD after learning of my daughter?s diagnosis. We listened together in my office…
A Butterfly lights beside us
Like a sunbeam,
And for a brief moment
Its glory and beauty
Belong to our world.
But then it flies on again
And though we wish it could have stayed
We feel lucky to have seen it.
– author unknown
