This post was published in The Brookline Tab on July 15, 2019
On Friday, June 14, a group of seniors who live at the Danesh Residences at 100 Centre Street came together with Rabbi Jim Morgan of Center Communities of Brookline, and Reverend Lisa Perry-Wood of the First Parish in Brookline for “A Blessing of the F(l)eet,” a celebration of mobility for people who use any kind of device to get around (including feet!).
Some months ago, in the dead of winter, Danesh resident Anne Umansky came up with a Vitalize 360 goal with her Vitalize coach, Amanda Benduzek. Her plan was to bring people together in the spring time to celebrate our continued mobility and to bless the devices that allow us to keep moving. When Anne brought the idea to Rabbi Jim, who is a member of the Vitalize 360 interdisciplinary team, he was immediately enthusiastic but knew that he would need an interfaith partner to make the idea a reality. He called on his Unitarian-Universalist colleague, Reverend Lisa, who was equally enthusiastic and set about putting together a liturgy for the event. As Anne said, “I am so happy that this head can still come up with ideas that will blossom into reality!”
The event itself was simple and full of joy--Rabbi Jim and volunteer guitarist Maximo Silverman played a rollicking Sephardic melody that got people’s feet moving as the seats filled up. Rev. Lisa introduced the event and read a variation on Psalm 23 that gave thanks for all the ways we are able to keep moving. Rabbi Jim offered a traditional Jewish blessing for the miracles of our bodies, and then Rev. Lisa blessed all of the walkers, scooters, rollators, and canes that people had brought with them. Her last blessing was for the Baby Bjorn worn by Julie Miller, a Research Associate from MIT’s AgeLab who had joined us for the afternoon with her three-month-old son, Ezra. Finally, Rabbi Jim offered a blessing that rabbinic tradition associates with feet--the most basic of all mobility devices! We then said a toast over some sparkling wine (in lieu of smashing a champagne bottle on somebody’s walker!) and everyone sang along to “These Boots Were Made for Walking.”
Anne was thrilled with the event, especially the way it brought everyone together in the beautiful sunshine. She continued: “My motto these days is from E.M. Forster: Only Connect, and today we’re connecting because we’ve all faced the same challenges and are still able to celebrate that we’re still alive.” Julie Miller, who was at the event representing MIT’s AgeLab, pointed out how important it is for people to continue to make meaning out of the challenges that face them as they get older. For Rabbi Jim of HSL, it was a reminder of the power of reframing: “What if we can see a walker as a blessing rather than--or perhaps as well as--a burden?”
The answer to that question was evident in the way every participant’s face lit up as they received their individual blessing, a moment of affirmation and connection amid all the challenges in their lives.
