“Your message is coming at a very good time. I need the encouragement. It’s a message from Hashem”

Call me idealistic, optimistic, or impulsive, but the idea popped into my head quicker than my two-year-old could sneak a piece of chocolate. I was turning the big 3-9 (aren’t they all big?), and wanted to do something meaningful to mark the occasion.

The year that had passed, with Covid and Meron and Surfside, had had its definite share of dark and uncertain times. But there were also open and hidden miracles, a plethora of brachos, and moments of long-lasting growth.

With the theme of gratitude percolating in my head, I chose a daunting goal. Over the next 24 hours, the duration of my birthday, I’d try to say thank you to a hundred people who’d made an impact on my life. The number 100 felt challenging yet meaningful, and I was ready to undertake the task.

The first thank-you, the most important, was to Hashem. V’al nisecha shebechol yom imanu. My debt of appreciation toward Hashem could fill volumes. After all, every moment of our lives is sustained only through His kindness.

Moving forward, I reached out to those nearest and dearest to me. I expressed gratitude to my parents for all they’d done for me in the past 39 years (and that’s a lot!), to my in-laws for their support and guidance, to my husband and kids for being the best.

As my list picked up momentum, I mentally calculated where I was holding after every few thank-yous. Number 25 was to a dear teacher and mentor whose classes I’ve been taking for years. “Thank you, Rebbetzin Schwartz, for your powerful and wonderful classes, which I’ve shared with others. You’re truly changing lives.”

She responded, “Your message is coming at a very good time. I need the encouragement. It’s a message from Hashem.”