MAKING LUNCHES

Making Lunches

Bracha Goetz

Lunch bags line up on many counters,

And each one’s got a name,

But what goes into each child’s bag, 

Is never quite the same.

One of them likes their pretzels salty.

One wants pretzels that have no salt on top.

This one wants a nice, neat lunch.

And that one just wants gooey glop.

This bag likes to get surprises,

While that one likes a standard fare.

What goes into all their lunches?

Thought, and lots of care.

But when the crumpled bags return home.

Some less-than-grateful comments also would,

“The pickles smelled!”  “My chips were stale!”

“I never get anything good!”

The most individualized care is what we get.

Everything that’s done for us is for our best.

Still, how often do we focus on what we don’t like,

Expressing little thanks for all the rest?

While packing our children’s lunches,

In a small way, we emulate Hashem,

But the children, like us, have no idea,

Of all that went into them.

Bracha Goetz is the author of over 40 Jewish children’s books, including Let’s Appreciate Everyone!, The Invisible Book, and the funny beginning reader, Sat on a Hat.  Her books can be found in Jewish bookstores and online at www.growingimpactpublications.com.