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Honking and Lemonade!

5/24/2019

8 Comments

 
Driving in the 5 Towns on a Friday or Sunday afternoon is always a fun experience. The main roads are frequently clogged, and the melodious sounds of harmonizing horns gives a gentle reminder that the light has changed.  Drivers look up from their phones just long enough to drive the next 4 blocks, and then dive right back in. Occasionally, a new driver will actually use his signal when turning, eliciting a confused gaze from other drivers.

The real fun begins when you drive down a side road. The open road results in people hitting dangerous speeds as they zip to the other end.  And then you see it.  A little boy or girl with a lemonade stand. They are watching the cars fly by, waiting, hoping that someone will stop.

Will you be that person?  It takes two minutes to bring a smile to a little child’s face. Usually the kids are collecting for their Yeshivos.  I saw a girl raising money for BBY and a boy for Darchei. On one block I saw a gaggle of kids raising money for Chai Lifeline.  It’s so beautiful. Not only are these wonderful children developing a great work ethic, they’re trying to help others.  Is it that difficult to stop for a minute or two?

They don’t just want your money. I saw a driver drop off a dollar and drive off.  It was sweet, but disappointment clouded over the girl’s face. She wanted to make a sale, not get a handout.  It’s the opposite of the entitlement that many millennials have.  She wants to work hard and earn money.

The next time you’re driving down a side road and see some kids selling lemonade, pull over. Watch how excited they get when you buy a cup.  Tell them how thirsty you were, and that they saved the day. They will thank you. Their parents, who are watching nervously from the inside window, will thank you. Take a minute or two to appreciate a cold cup of lemonade.  Then get back to the honking.

Have a good Shabbos!

​YR
8 Comments
Ruchie S.
5/24/2019 08:51:53 am

This is too funny! If only you were joking about the turn signal. I also try to buy things from kids, it's so cute.

Reply
Rivka B.
5/24/2019 09:10:49 am

Agreed! I moved to NY almost 20 years ago and I'm still in shock that I encounter so many people who can't bother to use a turn signal.

Reply
Esther Nachmanov
5/24/2019 08:54:54 am

I am very worries about these kids selling things. We live in a dangerous world. Is it really OK to leave kids outside? There should always be a parent with them!

Reply
Retired Parent
5/24/2019 09:08:52 am

We do live in a dangerous world, but it might surprise you our crime rate has go down drastically over the decades and centuries.
Hopefully, ones little child will grow to be a teenager and an adult, if one doesn't give the child a chance to grow and be a little independent they will grab in a big undesirable power struggle by the time they are teenagers.
In any individual case one must make the decision between safety and helping ones children grow, if a big risk obviously don't take it,
When I was in 2nd grade I took a public bus to school by myself. Unfortunately if I mention to someone whose child is going to West Hempstead from the 5Ts - are you aware of the public bus option they are not even cognizant of that possibility for teenagers. Tradeoffs abound in this world, pray that we make the right decisions.

Reply
eli rozwaski
5/24/2019 09:03:00 am

Hi unfortunately you left out kashrus. If they live in far rockaway the water needs to be filtered and if they are in the five towns who says the kashrus is up to par there are too many incidents where the babysitters and house cleaners treif the utensils.

Reply
Yaakov Sempter
5/24/2019 09:15:03 am

Seriously? Most kids sell the pre-made lemonade. I think you missed the point. You don't need to drink it, just buy some so the kids are happy. Besides, you are generalizing horribly regarding the 5-Towns, bordering dangerously on Motzei Shem Rah!

Reply
Tzivia Adler
5/24/2019 12:14:32 pm

well if you're so concerned, you can stop by my kids lemonade stand, It's 100% kosher and they also sell cold water bottles if you still don't trust me :) We are actually located on a main street, not a side street.. when you're driving down broadway stop for my girls... raising money for chai lifeline!!!

Reply
Menachem Davidowitz - Brooklyn
5/24/2019 09:18:08 am

Gaggle! Great word usage! Although it's usually talking about geese I believe, it seems to flow here. You make a great point regarding making kids feel important. It's easy to do and we call can get involved.

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    Rabbi Yitzie Ross is a Rebbe and has been working with parents and kids for many years. You can read more about him in the "about" section.

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