Vayeshev – Blood is NOT thicker than Water!

Vayeshev –  Blood is NOT thicker than Water!

Kislev 20/21,5775  December 12/13, 2014

VeYisra'el ahav et-Yosef mikol-banav ki-ven-zekunim hu lo ve'asah lo ktonet pasim.

Yisrael loved Yosef more than any of his sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he made him a long, colorful cloak.

Vayir'u echav ki-oto ahav avihem mi-kol echav vayisne'u oto velo yachlu dabro leshalom.

His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, and they hated him. They could not speak to him peaceably.

This Parsha (Torah Portion) tells the story and journey about Joseph and his trials with his brothers, and his own awesome and loving attitude towards and with G-D!  

The question arises, “Why?”  I think we ALL ask that from time to time, and even wonder, “Why is she my sister, or he my brother, or even…..These are my parents? Or Grandparents…etc…!”  It’s our BLOODLINE!   I am very blessed and fortunate to have an EXTREMELY loving family and bloodline, but MY family goes BEYOND “BLOOD”!  IT’S ABOUT HEART AND CHOICE!

About 14+ years ago, my children’s mother and I decided to start a family; our choice was to have ’children of the heart’, or children by choice; we adopted.  We have an awesome son (young man) who is the sweetest boy ever, and a beautiful & maturing daughter who is 12 going on 22!  Like all parents, MY kids are the best, the smartest, the cutest, the politest etc…… BUT THEY REALLY ARE INDEED!!!!   They both are true loves to anybody that is within their company and circle.  We could NOT have physically created more perfect children for us, and our family, and our family dynamics.  In fact, our son is named after my paternal grandfather, Nathan.  NATHAN will carry the FINEMAN name and legacy on, as he has a sister and two female cousins with in the Fineman lineage!  It’s HIS throne eventually!

Yesterday, I got the call that ‘my’ Papou Steve peacefully passed in his sleep.  May his memory be a blessing.  Papou is Grandfather in Greek.   He was my grandfather by choice, Thank G-D!!!!  For 25 plus years, he was my Nana’s companion/love, and they truly loved one another.  Papou was not only his grandchildren’s Papou, but ours as well!.....WE were HIS children, grandkids, and great grandchildren too!!!!!!!!!!!  He was at all Hannuckah dinners, Rosh Hashana services, and Yom Kippur break the fasts, alongside ALL of us!!!!! He built a wall at my brother’s home about 18 years ago, and he was in his early 80’s then. He was present all the time, and his presence was a TRUE present and gift to all of us.   Papou was part of our being, part of our Mishpuckah (family)!   We were very blessed to have a patriarch like Papou.

It goes beyond my children or my Papou; I have a dear, dear friend who is like an older son to me, and how blessed am I?! Again, by choice.  And also a life-long friend, who is MY sister, and what a blessing and gift!

It’s not about one’s BLOODLINE that makes FAMILY, it’s about one’s heart, one’s choices, and openness of accepting them into your FAMILY.  Family is what WE make of it, and I must share, mine is sure AWESOME!!!!!

-Amen-