If I can count this morning's minyan as 1/3 of the Bar Mitzvah, I'd be content.  It went so well, the congregation were such menches, so sweet.  The rabbi was wonderful, focusing entirely on Ben, guiding him, whispering in his ear the entire service.   There were only around 20 people there, I did an aliya, and mostly without nerves! Ben and the white-haired men, some in suits, some in sneakers, strapping the black leather tefillin around their far heads and wrists.  I was so proud, everyone congratulating me.  And despite Ben's rebelliousness to many things Jewish, his questioning of the process, his digging in his heels, today it can not be denied, he is officially a jew!

I'm just hoping tomorrow night, the Friday night service goes this well, I sort of think it will.  It's like now I'm floating along, I've done all the work, and how I'm on this magic carpet with Ben and Rob with the wind under me.  I can do no wrong, we are blessed.