Ariel

by Laurie Bellet

Like most moms of teen girls, my day began with the whining complaints of my daughter. My clothes were not okay. My make-up was too light. In short, I was to be, yet again, a source of mortal humiliation in front of her friends. I was saved by the bell as the phone rang and, predictably, she lunged to answer. Suddenly, the voice softened and I could actually hear the smiles from across the room. It was "the boyfriend" calling about their date this upcoming Saturday. Never mind that the call came just when Lassie was about to save Timmy from the coal mine and that Ariel's cape (it is super-hero day at day camp) tangled with the phone, for any teen girl, not to mention a 15 year old with SMS, this day was off to a fabulous beginning!

The thought of Ariel dating was totally ludicrous to contemplate just a few years ago. It was certainly not even in our wildest dreams as we tackled the years of head banging (pavement preferred), the endless boxes of Band-Aids, and nighttime cataclySMS. Ariel, though, our 3rd child, observed carefully the milestones enjoyed by the children of our close knit community. And, at about the age of 10, when there was no school program able to even accommodate her, Ariel began planning for her Bat Mitzvah. Her Dad and I became master subject changers in those days but, Ariel was, of course, undaunted.

It is my job to assign the Bar/t Mitzvah dates in our synagogue so there was no way I could overlook my own daughter's determination. As the preparations progressed it became apparent that we actually were suffering less angst than many of our friends. The invitations would be shocking pink. The party theme would be Disney-esque. Ariel, brought up listening to students chanting with me at our study table, actually knew her blessings as another child knows Farmer in the Dell. No, our only concern was compliance and, frankly, that was totally out of our control so there was no point to worrying.

On March 7, 1998, there was only one person not totally aflutter in the synagogue. And, as the service progressed, there was only one set of eyes which remained dry. Ariel, my child who years before had squeezed small pets to death and tantrumed mid-musical at the Orpheum theater, stood for her Bat Mitzvah with a dignified composure, accomplishing the inconceivable.

Our days do continue to be interrupted by tantrums, the kitchen door is firmly padlocked nightly and, now and again, toenails are removed. Yet, Ariel relishes her participation in a high school community which values students with developmental disabilities as integral members of the student body. She performs volunteer work adequately enough and yes, she is now "officially" dating.

 

Top, Ariel Bellet and friends dancing the night away at her Bat Mitzvah.
Below, Ariel on her big day with Rabbi Raphael Asher and Cantor Stephen Richards