When i was a kid...

Week five day one.
Chesed of Hod.
Lovingkindness in Humilty.
(didn't know loving kindness could be one word...cool.)

Exercise for the day:
Before praying with humility and acknowledgement of G-d, give some charity.
It will enhance your prayers.

- Simon Jacobson. A Spiritual Guide to The Counting of the Omer.

~~~~

"Tzedaka, tzedaka, tzedaka.
that it was what we give...
even a penny a day,
before we start to pray."

The theme song of every lucky young child's Jewish kindergarten education.

I was no exception.
With those two pennies taped to my lunchbox.
Or my pencil case.
Or my backpack.
Or left on the counter at home.
Or in my mommy's pocket.

We always knew to bring tzedaka and give it before davvening each day.

Why is it that certain things strengthen as we grow older, while others just fade?
What happened to my giving tzedaka before davvening?

I pull down my trusty pushka from the shelf.
Count out 90 pennies.
Trade it for a dollar.
Should last me a few months...

Sometimes I need to stop and reflect.
With all that I do now, do I still remember what they taught us in kindergarten...