A year ago right now, we were escaping our reality on the beaches of Maui.  Specifically, we were snorkeling at Molikini, swimming among fish and laughing at the fact that Sarah would have hated that.  But she would have loved being in Hawaii. It was a place she always wanted to go, and we regret now that she never got there.  It seemed strange being there without her.

But there are so many places and times that seem strange and empty without Sarah.  Sarah loved Chanukah.  Going into Chanukah last year, we knew that the eight nights were going to be extraordinarily difficult, so we needed to include her in a meaningful way.  Every night of Chanukah, everyone who shared lighting candles with us put a dollar into a pushke.  At the end of Chanukah, we donated the money to Children's Hospital.

This year, we will be giving the money to one of Sarah's causes: The Make a Wish Foundation.  Sarah was introduced to Make a Wish through Builder's Club in middle school.  I don't remember the specific things that led up to it, but Sarah became impassioned with the organization.  She raised money through school and gave to them enthusiastically even after the memories of their projects faded. 

I expect that her passion came from the fact she understood the cause.  She wanted their terminally ill children to experience the things she would have an entire life to experience.  Now it seems ironic that she never got her wish, seeing the Hawaiian volcanoes.

Make a Wish seemed like the perfect cause to remember and include Sarah in Chanukah this year. Consider a donation as a tribute to your friend.
 
May your lives be filled with light and may all your wishes come true.

Click below to go to Make a Wish
Make A Wish

 

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