Reliving+a+Favorite+Memory

Reliving a Favorite Memory By Kyra C.

The one memory I have that I would most like to experience again is my Bat Mitzvah. It had its high points, and points that I regret. But, over all, it has been, so far, the best, most exciting memory I have. A few reasons why this is my favorite memory are reading the Torah, enjoying the party, and, finally, receiving compliments and presents. Reading the Torah is the first reason that my Bat Mitzvah is my favorite memory. At first, going up on the bimah, I was a little nervous (not a lot because, one, I act, and, two, I had been studying for a long, long time). My grandparents, my nana, and my mother came up on the bimah to pass the Torah to me, and then the rest was up to me. I carried the Torah around the sanctuary and then went back up on the bimah to read Torah. Carrying the Torah was what triggered my nervousness. “What if I trip? What if I drop the Torah? What if I forget to smile or forget the words?” I thought to myself. “No, no… NO! I cannot get nervous. Not now,” I pushed myself to keep going. I read my first of three Torah readings and, immediately, I felt a huge relief. “This is so familiar! I know it even better than the back of my hand. I did it Saturday night last week, and at school on Monday. I can do this. I can do it flawlessly,” I thought. I was no longer nervous. I was doing perfectly fine until … my d’var Torah. I had just finished my Haftorah and was starting to tense up. I was thinking, “What if I mess up? What if I stumble over a word or lose my spot? What if I forget to pause and look up?” I did not have much more time to think before I began, “Shabbat Shalom,” I said. “Shabbat Shalom!” the whole congregation shouted in unison. “Wow. Just wow,” I thought. If that did not boost my confidence, I do not know what would. I was smiling, pausing at the right times, and I never once lost my place. When I finished, everyone threw jelly candies at me; and someone with a strong arm hit me with a red one. It did not hurt that bad. As I walked back to my seat in the front row, I started to feel very disappointed. “It’s all over. No more excitement. No more reading. No more nervous breakdowns. It’s not fair! I want to do it again!” I thought. The Torah reading was a really big part of my wanting to relive my Bat Mitzvah. Another big part of that was how much I enjoyed the party. Enjoying my party is the second reason that my Bat Mitzvah is my favorite memory. Before anyone else got there, my grandma, grandpa and I arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel preparing some last-minute things. I had to wait out in the hors d’oeuvres area, and was not allowed in the party room for quite a while. Finally, my grandma came out and told me and grandpa that we could go into the party room. I was so surprised to see a poodle ice sculpture sitting on my dessert table that I squealed! “It’s beautiful! I love it! It’s __so__ cool!” I said. Did I forget to mention that my Bat Mitzvah party was poodle-themed? Well it was! I loved it and everything about it. The only thing I regret is not trying any of the desserts. How could I? I went to the tasting to pick out the food that I wanted; but I did not even try the desserts! I can never forgive myself! My party was a really big part of my wanting to relive my Bat Mitzvah (I must try those desserts!). Another big part of it was the compliments and the presents I received. The compliments and the presents I received is the third reason that my Bat Mitzvah is my favorite memory. During the luncheon after my service, everyone came up to me and said “Mazal Tov!” and “You did really well!” most of which seemed sincere, except for a few of my classmates who were just doing what they were required to do. I even got compliments a while after my Bat Mitzvah. Cards always said “Mazal Tov,” and most of the ones sent after my Bat Mitzvah included a nice compliment on my reading. The presents were all really great. There were none I could not stand, and all of them seemed perfect for me. I like receiving gifts (But I like giving them better). The only bad part is the … thank you notes! Compliments and presents was a really big part of my wanting to relive by Bat Mitzvah. Without this memory, I would be sad. My whole journey to teen years, and then forgetting my Bat Mitzvah! Unthinkable! If I had not experienced my Bat Mitzvah, I would not be considered an adult along with my fellow seventh grade classmates! This experience has helped me prove to myself that I can indeed begin study in February 2007, go to summer camp for six weeks, and still read my Torah portion flawlessly in October of that same year. Because of this experience, I am a woman, and that is something I refuse to give up, but maybe it is something I am willing to relive.

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