To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven…A Time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

In a small Jewish village some time ago there was a chasnah (wedding). Everyone came to the wedding where they sang, danced and ate a great seuda (feast). The happiness and gladness extended into the night as everyone enjoyed themselves.

The next morning came and it was time to clean up from the wedding celebration. The dishes had to be collected, the trash was gathered and the decorations taken down. A young man was sweeping the floor of the shul (synagogue). As his pile grew larger he saw there were many roses and petals scattered through the shul. He stopped for a moment and looked at the flowers lying around. His mind began to wander and he thought out loud, "All those beautiful roses had decorated the shul at the wedding the night before. Now that it was all over, they were scattered on the floor, crushed by the dancing and waiting to be thrown away."

The young man was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound. One of the roses replied to him.

"Do you call this a waste?" the flower protested. "What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service? My mission was to make some fragrance and beauty, and as I have done this, my life has not been wasted. What greater honor is there than to adorn a bride's way to her beloved; what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by getting married?"

The little flower paused for a moment to watch the man's face and then continued, "Roses are like people. They live in mitzvos (deeds), not in time. My fame was brief, only an hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride's face. I like to believe that I had something to do with it by giving her a special moment of happiness. So don't cry or worry about me. My life has been worthwhile."

After explaining herself, the rose was once more silent. The young man, startled from his daydream and a little wiser, with his work cleaning up the shul.

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort: A Child's Workbook for Remembering, and Stories from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow helps children get by one of life's most difficult moments.

Filled with activities, stories and explanations, A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort: A Child's Workbook for Remembering and Stories from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is an invaluable resource for parents and children. These features help children to understand their feelings and the grieving process in the Jewish community. Each chapter in this exceptional book teaches children important skills to cope with many of the traditions and the confusion so common when someone dies. Most books can only be read, but this one allows children to write, draw, doodle, take notes, tape in pictures, and even fold the pages!

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort: A Child's Workbook for Remembering and Stories from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is a well-crafted book that becomes an heirloom for your children. This is a must-have kit where they can read, enjoy, learn, and share their thoughts.