"Have you a sweet year"

Nine-year-old Peter Chiou's bilingual Rosh Hashana
message and his mother Sophia's honey cake

Earlier this week, I shared a bit about Rosh Hashana with Sophia Chiou, my delightful new neighbor from Taiwan. I described the Jewish New Year custom of eating apples dipped in honey, symbolizing our hopes for sweetness in the coming year.

Then, late this afternoon, Sophia arrived at my house with Iris, Peter's three-year-old sister, surprising me with wonderful homemade holiday gifts: Peter's card and Sophia's honey cake. I immediately began to cry.

What brought this tender, caring woman and her family to Atlanta? Husband Tony Chiou is doing veterinary research this year at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

An auspicious start to the Jewish New Year 5771, radiating a great sweetness to all.

An eager gift-bearer, Iris turned shy outside my door

My previous Rosh Hashana posts

• 5770 (2009)
• 5769 (2008)
• 5768 (2007) here and here
• 5767 (2006)