Abraham. A trailblazer.
Did you know that it all began when he was three years old?
As a curious young boy, his inquisitive mind realized that there must be an energizer to the energy, an originator for all of the pieces of this puzzle known as the world. As he fell asleep he wondered whether the moon, the shiniest orb in the night sky, might hold the power over all else. Yet when morning came it became evident that sun was certainly brighter, its radiance illuminating the day and warming the atmosphere. However when nightfall pushed the sun below the horizon, young Avraham understood that there must be a Being greater than the whole galactic system, a Creator to the world, a Master to the plan.
There had not yet been a revelation at Sinai, or an exodus from Egypt. Idol worship was the norm, with his own father, Terach, owning the largest idol shop in town.
But don't underestimate the power of the youth. The purity and clarity through which they view the world, untarnished by negativity or bias. From the mouths of babes. One Talmudic sage would articulate that he was praying like a child. Unlike an adult who has concocted an image of what he or she thinks or expects Hashem to be, a child has a beautifully simplistic perspective, capturing the essence of G-d, Good, and Right in a manner that transcends limiting definitions.
I'm thinking about this concept as our son, Meir, celebrates his third birthday and first haircut, this Sunday. The way he watches Devorah lighting the Shabbat candles, his unadulterated excitement as the Challah is uncovered, his pride as he tried on his first Yarmulka (of course, it's a fire truck Yarmulka), his seriousness as he points to the letters of the Aleph Bet.
Meir, I hope and pray, that as you grow, your curiosity and enthusiasm never diminish. That you continue to run to do good deeds, bringing joy to others with your soon to be missing curls still virtually bouncing about.
And for the rest of us, and at a time when the world has such strong opinions and sentiments, let's try to occasionally tap back into child mode, interacting with wide eyes, open arms, and purity of heart.
Petaluma. New beginnings, similar to the "Six Days of Creation" read from the Torah this week.
Along the way, in between the fields and orchards, (and cows), we found a small playground, perhaps used by the farmers' families in the evenings. For us, it was like a spring of water, life in midst of a desert, a tire swing suspended in the arid heat. To us, it was a sign that with smiles and connectedness (like the links of the chains), - and a bunch of cute kids - a joyous and lively atmosphere would surely sprout forth as the nutritious greenery across the dirt road.
And just like that, we are on to the next Holiday. Sukkot. 
awaits us.