"Rami"

“Rami”

“The Mystery of The Night Owl”

Evening rolled in, stormy clouds gathered above, as the two boys headed for the barn to obey their father's request when the youngest held out his arm and halted his brother.

“Shhh, Listen! There’s that weird sound again.”

"Drake, you’re weird, and I don’t hear anything. Besides, we have to get the barn ready for the Horses before nightfall. Hand me the heat lamps and quit messing around. It’s supposed to get extra cold tonight.”

“Hayden, quiet,” Drake quickly replied, “there it is again. I heard that same sound in this very spot 3 months ago.”

The sound came again towards the barn with an alarming screech.

“That’s an owl, ya Goof. We don’t have time to go looking for your feathered friends.” Hayden said.

"That’s not just any Ol owl. It’s a Hadorami Desert Owl,” Drake informatively said.

“How do you know that?" Hayden said with an obscured look on his face.

“I know my birds,” Drake confidently replied. “But, what’s it doing here, they’re not from here?”

“Let’s get going, Drake. Dad said the evenings are shorter this time of year, as we head into winter. And we have to have everything done before we leave to go on vacation this weekend."

Drake rolled his eyes, straightened the bag of feed on his little shoulder, and continued towards the barn.

Hayden runs ahead to get the day finished; he can’t wait; episode 1 starts tonight of the new series of Cobra Kai!

As they entered, the cracking of the old worn-out door made a creepy noise that startled something inside.

“What was that?” Drake said in a shaky voice while grabbing his brother's arm.

“I think it’s coming from the loft," Hayden whispered. "And get off me", he said gruffly.

Squinting his eyes, he paused and looked around, then said “It’s probably just a coon.”

"It’s really dark in here, Hayden, and I can’t find the switch."

“On the right, above your head. Open the door more to bring in more light so we can see.”

“What do you think that noise was, Hayden?”

“Stop being so scared Drake; we have work to do.”

“Ok, I guess you’re right. Found it,” said Drake, flipping on the switch.

With the lights now on, the boys began preparing for the long cold night; putting out piles of hay for a cozy bed, and hanging the lamps for a warm peaceful sleep. They were cleaning the stalls and filling the buckets for plenty to drink, and emptying the feed into bends; when the wind abruptly picked up outside and whistled around the corner. Breaking their concentration, a scuffling noise came from up in the loft, only a little louder, and this time, causing Hayden to jump.

“See, I told you, something is in here!” Drake replied while clinching the rake in his hand.

And again, came another noise. Then something crashed, causing the crate above Hayden’s head to fall from its position as if someone had picked it up and pushed it off the boards.

“Heads-UP!” Drake yelled out.

Scrambling to get out of the way, Hayden tripped over the half-emptied bag of feed. Then this awful, high-pitched sound, in a strong, obtrusive, unwelcoming manner, echoed from the rafters.

“Ah! That’s the sound,” Drake exclaimed while covering his ears.

“Wait a minute! Did someone say something?” he asked.

“You’re hearing the winds outside, Drake.”

“No, I clearly heard a voice.”

“Screech!” went the sound. “Don’t be alarmed.”

“Who’s in here?” Hayden shouted out.

Suddenly, the wind outside began to bellow, and it started to rain. A tree branch broke from the large oak tree just outside the barn. The lights went out, and the boys couldn’t see much at all, now that the sun had already set below the trees.

“Awe man,” Hayden sighed in frustration. “Did you remember to bring the flashlight like I asked?”

Then shaking the atmosphere, it thundered, lightning struck, and flashes of light came through the door. A small, stocky figure appeared in the shadows from up in the peak of the ceiling. Sitting between the boards, with glowing blue eyes, and with a sound so piercing, this image shrieked, ringing the young boys' ears.

All the commotion startled the horses, causing them to almost come out of their stables.

“Did you see that, Hayden?” Drake frighteningly said.

“Yes, I did! Get behind me, and hand me the rake. Who’s up there?” Hayden sternly yelled, trying to speak above the battering rain on the tin roof.

While it continued to thunder, and through the whistling of the wind, a voice spoke up and said, “It’s me.”

And with outstretched wings, from up above, flew down this small brown and white striped owl, and said,

“I’m Rami.”

Both mouths dropped, as the boys stood there astounded and wide-eyed.

“Di-, di-, did that owl just talk?” Hayden asked in disbelief.

“The myth is true,” Drake muttered under his breath.

And rubbing his eyes and trying to answer, the owl spoke again and said; “We’re a special kind of bread, from the Rockies of Israel, called….”

“I know, you're a Hadorami! I read about you in my bird book my MiMi gave me seven years ago when I was three.” Drake exclaimed, interrupting the owl's response. “But, how did you get all the way here to The United States?" He asked the little owl.

“Some awful man stole us from our home in the cleft of the rocks,” the owl replied.

“The question is; how can you talk, and who is Us?” questioned Hayden. “You mean, there’s more of you?"

As the little owl began to speak hesitantly, the boys heard more rustling from the loft, along with some peeps.

“Well, actually, umm........"

Before the owl could finish its sentence, Drake came out from behind Hayden, and proclaimed; “Those are baby owls, aren’t they,” raising his hands in the air with excitement.

“Get back here Drake!” Hayden demanded. “Just, how many of you are there?” he questioned in wonder.

“There is just me and two others that survived the Journey.” exclaimed the little owl.

With tears in her eyes, Rami sadly muddled; “By the time I got here, 3 of my eggs had been broken and lost.” as she tried to explain the terrible events that had left her so far from home.

“How long have you been here, since those are clearly not eggs peeping?” asked Hayden.

“I knew it. That was you I heard three months ago, wasn’t it?” Drake replied.

“Yes. When I finally got away from that mad man, I found your barn just before my eggs got too cold. I had 27 days still left to sit on them before they were to hatch. And now, it’s been almost 40 days since they hatched. However, even after seven weeks, they will only be able to travel a short distance.”

“This is so strange. I can’t believe we’re talking to a bird” said Hayden, while shaking his head.

“I know,'' said Drake. “Isn't it wonderful?”

“I’m considered a Barn Owl in your country, but we are a different species that live in the deserts."

The wind howled again and made the little owlets scramble, searching for a more secure place to hide.

Looking up to the loft, Drake said, “Come on Hayden! Let's make them a safer bed”, as he headed up the latter.

Hayden followed in behind, and Rami flew up to help gather them. Now that was going to be a chore!

“Ouch! Got it!” said Drake, while hitting his head on the rafters.

“There’s the other one over there behind that box. I’ll get it!” Hayden yelled out while leaping, from his knees.

“Oh, be careful,” Rami said, with concern in her voice. “You’ll frighten them more than they already are. They might break a wing! Then I’ll never get them back home," she exclaimed.

“Hey, these little guys are quick,” Hayden said in return.

“Awe, they’re sooooo cute!” said Drake, holding it to his cheek, as the little one said, “Hi!”

“Oh Wow! They can talk to?” Hayden asked.

“We are a special breed, as I expressed earlier. No one is supposed to know, but I need help getting us home. Winter is going to be hard, that’s if my little ones can make it through.” said Rami.

With a worried look on Drake’s face, he replied, “I wish there was something we could do.”

“Hey! I think the rains have stopped,” Hayden exclaimed. “I’ll go finish up down there with the horses; you stay here, Drake, and fix the heat lamp in place.”

Hayden started down the ladder while Drake continued to play with the owlets, and tried to comfort Rami.

“Hey, Rami, didn’t you say you’re from Israel? What parts?” Hayden asked from down below.

Rami replied, “from the Judaean Desert, east of the Mountains, my beautiful home.”

“That’s near where our PawPaw and MiMi McDaniel live; in the Jordan Valley!” He surprisingly yelled back.

“Yes,” said Drake, "and we leave in two days. We can bring you guys with us!”

“Oowe, I don’t think Dad would go for that, Drake,” Hayden replied. “We will be traveling across the country for a week, and then we fly across the waters to PawPaw’s.”

“Then I’ll ask Momma Lori Jo, she’ll convince him.”

“Hey, Rami, didn’t you say you’re from Israel? What part?” Hayden asked from down below.

Rami replied, “from the Judaean Desert, east of the Mountains, my beautiful home.”

“That’s near where our PawPaw and MiMi McDaniel live; in the Jordan Valley!” He surprisingly yelled back.

“Yes,” said Drake, "and we leave in two days. We can bring you guys with us!”

“Oowe, I don’t think Dad will go for that Drake,” Hayden replied. “We will be traveling across the country for a week, and then we fly across the waters to PawPaw’s.”

“Then I’ll ask Momma Lori Jo, she’ll convince him.”

As morning broke, Drake rushed out to greet Rami and the owlets. “I gathered some worms for you guys;” he said, as he headed up to the loft. “How did your babies make it through the night?”

After the sun was fully up, Dad popped into Hayden's room whistling a toon, and said, “Breakfast is on the table! Get up! We’re one day away, till we head out on the road! Oh, Hayden, have you seen your brother this morning?”

“He’s probably out in the barn with…..”

“I thought y'all finished the barn?” dad said, interrupting with a frown.

“Yeah, um…Well, Drake didn’t put away the rake.” Hayden stuttered.

With a puzzled look on his face, Dad said, “Ok. Well, go get him so we can get the day going and finish packing. We will leave pretty early in the morning. And, no last-minute stuff.”

After breakfast was done and the family was getting the last things ready to go, Drake slipped into the master bedroom where Momma Lori Jo was filling her remaining small suitcase, and began to tell her about Rami and her owlets. But, of course, leaving out the talking bird part.

“We’ve gotta get them back to their home!” he begged.

“Oh my goodness!” she said. “I will ask your Dad as soon as I finish up. Hopefully, he will let us take them along.”

To Drake, it seemed like forever, before she was able to ask, so he paced in the hallway, awaiting his answer.

“Are you finished packing?” Hayden sternly asked, passing through the hall to load his final items into the Truck.

Drake ignored him, as he was trying to listen in on Momma Lori Jo, and Dad’s conversation. “Shush!” he whispered.

He could hear Dad rejecting the idea quite a bit; worrying about how to travel with such a burden. Drake couldn’t wait any longer, so he burst through the door and began to plea.

“Please Dad, Please! I promise I’ll take extra care, and be more responsible than ever.”

Hayden knew he needed help getting his dad to agree, so he decided to follow him into the bedroom to assure Dad he would help.

“Look, I better not find any poop in my truck. And too much of their squawking, out, they'll go!” exclaimed Dad.

“Really?!" Drake said with extreme excitement. “Come on Hayden. Let’s go prepare them for travel. But, first, I’m gonna go tell Rami.”

“No,” said Hayden. “First you have to finish packing. Then we will get them ready.”

“Absolutely!” Dad said with reinforcement. “No if, ands, or buts. And what kind of name is Rami, where did you come up with that? 'Tell Rami', phfff.”

“Umm, he’s just weird like that, Dad.” Hayden deflected.

“Come on Drake,” Momma Lori Jo said. “I’m done packing. I’ll help you with yours.”

Dad had that puzzled look on his face again. Then said, “I’m gonna go get the trailer hitched. And everyone better have everything done before supper. If it’s not loaded by then, it’s not going.”

That evening at the table, while everyone was enjoying dessert, Dad spoke up; “Is there anything else left to load, guys?”

“I think I have everything checked off on the list,” said Momma Lori Jo. “What about you boys?”

“We’re all done, right Drake?” replied Hayden.

“Yep, sure am.” Drake said, nodding his head.

“Well now,” said Dad. “That’s a first. Anyway, I’m gonna go check on the horses before going to bed.”

“Oh, umm, I….I can do it, Dad.” Drake stuttered, not wanting him to find out the truth about Rami.

“You are being weird today, Drake,” said Dad. “What's gotten into you? I need to do this myself anyway.”

“I’m just really excited to go see PawPaw and Mimi McDaniel,” answered Drake.

“I guess I am too, it’s been a while.” Dad said.

Looking at Drake out of the corner of his eyes, Hayden jumped and said, “I’ll help you, Dad.”

The next morning everyone got loaded up, and they were off. It seemed like it took much longer than planned with the extra ‘persons’ on board. Thankfully they made it on the road trip across the U.S. without revealing Rami’s secret, until they were boarding the plane to Israel to visit the grandparents.

Momma Lori Jo picked up the crate the owls were in, and the fear triggered Rami’s experience with the mean old man. She began to squawk and screech, and all of a sudden she said, “I’m too afraid to get on the plane!”

Almost dropping the box and screaming; Momma Lori Jo yelled; “Morgan!” calling out to the boys' father.

“What on earth is wrong with you?" He said, rushing over to help her with the crate.

Rami continued to squawk. “I can’t go! I can’t get on the plane!”

On hearing the commotion, the boys ran to her aid; as the little owlets squeaked and fluttered.

“Oh, dear!” Momma Lori Jo frantically said. “I’m losing my mind.”

“Who said that!” Dad asked while looking all around.

“That…that….that bird!” she said, handing him the half-broken crate.

“Be careful,” Drake exclaimed.

“I’m sorry to be causing all this problem,” said Rami, “but I can’t bear that trauma again.”

“Trauma is right!” Momma Lori Joe shuddered

“We’re not that evil stupid man, Rami; we’ll take extra care of you,” Drake assured her.

“Yeah Rami, think of your babies too. It’s the only way to get you home,” replied Hayden.

“Well….Ok,” she said with uncertainty.

“I can’t believe it! The myth is true!” Dad replied.

“Myth! What myth?” Momma Lori Jo questioned, as she tried to compose herself.

“It’s time to board.” Hayden said, “We can explain on the way.”

“You’re right. We can’t miss our flight.” Dad said while grabbing the suitcases.

“Wait! What myth? I’m confused.” Momma Lori Jo said.

Taking hold of her hand, Hayden reassured her, “It will be alright. Come on.”

The conversations on the plane were quite interesting, to say the least, while Momma Lori Jo was still trying to swallow the fact that there was a talking owl, Rami calmed herself, knowing she was finally going home.

After arriving at PawPaw and MiMi McDaniel’s place and everyone had said their hellos and kisses, it was time to celebrate the Winter Holidays, so they went inside and gathered by the fireplace where it was warm and toastie. They all exchanged gifts and had a memorable time; reminiscing of past Hanukkah’s and catching up on lost times apart. But there was one last thing left to do; Introduce Rami and her mythical owlets.

“Hey, Dad!” the boys' father said to PawPaw. “We have something to show you guys. I think you should sit down for this one.” as he set the crate down at their feet.

“Yeah!” said Momma Lori Jo. “You need to sit down for this one, and I, with you.”

“Is this one of our presents?” MiMi asked.

“No!” Drake chuckled.

“But it sure is going to be a surprise!” Hayden said, placing his hand on PawPaw’s shoulder.

And jumping out of turn, Drake said; “Remember that Shirih..ai guy; the Orni..orn..ologist? You know; the one who’s in that bird book you gave me? It’s not a myth; it’s not a myth!”

“You mean, ‘Ornithologist’, Mr. Hadoram Shirihai, the Israeli who studied birds.” MiMi corrected. “And what’s not a myth?”

“It’s true mom.” Dad said, as he opened the crate; while Drake handed her the book.

“Son, what are you talking about?” asked PawPaw.

Rami slowly raises her head out, and greets the grandparents with; “The Mystery of The Night Owl.”

MiMi falls out! PawPaw, about chokes on his coffee, spewing it all over Drake. Then Hayden falls out laughing.

Momma Lori Jo is trying to calm the little owlets from all the craziness, while Dad is trying to hold up MiMi.

“Surprise!” Hayden said, holding out his arms.

After everyone was able to settle down and listen, Rami flies out of the crate and sits on the coffee table amongst everyone to reveal the secrets untold.

MiMi stammered, “I….I….I can’t believe it! My mom read me this story when I was little. Said it’s been told in The Isaack family for centuries.”

“Where did you get the book?” asked Drake.

“From a book sale in Israel,” she explained.

“What I want to know is how are you able to talk?” Hayden asked. “Do all owls talk, and we’ve just never heard them before?”

“No,” Rami replied, “only those of the descendants of The Maccabees have the ability to hear the ancient language of The Night Owl.”

Everyone looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

“So, you must be of this descendant,” replied Rami, “and we were destined to meet. I saw the same Night Angel of the Miracle, from the book; he was in your barn the night I arrived. He led me there.”

“What Angel? What Miracle?” asked Hayden and Drake simultaneously.

“Let me start from the beginning, boys,” replied Rami. “Let’s go way back to the ancient times of 200 BCE."

“What’s BCE?” Drake asked.

“ ‘Before Common Era’ or basically, ‘Before The Year of The Lord’.” Rami answered.

“That’s really far back,” said Dad.

Rami continued…..

“It all started when The Babylonian King of Syria, took over The Kingdom of Judea, but still gave the

Hebrew People, the freedom to rule themselves. However, in 168 BCE, his evil son, King Antiochus IV,

replaced him and told the people they could not worship their God; The God of Israel. And then

commanded they worship the Greek god, Zeus. He erected an altar to this god in The Holy Temple,

defiling it; and destroying everything in it.”

“The evil man that stole you was probably a descendant of this Antiochus dude,” Drake stated.

“Yeah! Mr. Antiochus the 5782nd.” Hayden chuckled.

“Don’t remind me,” Rami said. “Anyway; certain Jewish priests, known as, The Maccabees……."

“The guys in the book, right Rami?”

“Yes, Drake," Rami answered as she resumed the story.

“These guys rebelled against this tyrant of a king and fought for their freedom. And finally, after three long tumultuous years, these priests won the people's freedom, and victoriously reclaimed The Holy Temple. Upon retaking Jerusalem, they cleared out the Temple and rededicated it to The God of Israel.

Part of that dedication was ‘The Lighting of The Menorah,’ which had eight lampstands. Seven flames representing The Seven Spirits of God. God had commanded that a Menorah be lit during times of worship. The one problem was, it could only be lit with pure olive oil. And when the Greeks entered the Temple, they had defiled the jugs of oil. Only a single cruse of the purest of olive oil was in a secret compartment, tucked away behind the altar; which, up until that time, had not yet been found. Even so, it alone was only enough to last one day. For 100 years it had been kept hidden, because owls had made their nests there, and no one could see it. This special breed of owls came back year after year to raise their young, and sit on this nest. Protecting the oil became their mission. For, they knew somehow, it was something very special. And on this specific night, something Wonderful happened. An Angel appeared and opened the compartment, as Little Mac the Owl sat ever so still, gazing at the Angelical Being.”

“Like we did when we saw you; huh, Rami?" Drake interjected.

“Stop interrupting Drake.” Hayden frowned.

“'Don’t be afraid,” the Angel replied. 'This moment has been long-awaited, and your time has come. For your great task is complete, and your mission is done. Tonight I bring a Miracle needed, and bestow upon you a reward due. Now, My Holy Presence can once again dwell in My Temple. You see, this was not a small thing one could do. This oil will last for eight straight nights, and burn its brightest of brights. Your voice will I open for the ear to hear, but only for The Maccabees; The Ones I hold most dear. Courage I found in you both, so through the ages, you’ll go, forever down in History. And on you will remain, my Glory shown, but always kept a mystery.”

“Then The Angel raised his hand toward the owl and the jug sitting under his nest; A brilliant light of blue came from him, piercing through Mac and the entire compartment.”

“Story goes, that he glowed the rest of the night.”Rami giggled.

“Is that why your eyes glow blue?” Drake asked.

“Yeah, your eyes definitely are blue!” Hayden agreed.

“Maybe so,” said Rami.

“Anyway, the next morning when the priest came back to The Temple, the compartment door was wide open and Mac was still sitting on his eggs, along with the female. 'Look, an Owl’s nest!' said one of the priests. 'Hi, Sir,' said Mac. The priest screamed and ran out.”

“I don’t think he ever came back; is how some tell it.”

“If I hadn’t fainted, I probably would have run out myself,” said MiMi.

“Oh, honey, you’ll be ok,” PawPaw said.

“What next?” asked Drake.

Rami resumes again.

“Well, “after the priest got past the talking Owl, Mac began to tell them about the Angel, and how they had

protected the oil for many generations. 'It became a part of who we are.' He said. So the priests gave him

the nickname Mac, short for Maccabee.

Then, the priests poured the oil into one of the lamps on the Menorah, in hopes that it would be accepted by God, since it’s all they had for the Dedication. But, Miraculously, The Angel had caused the one cruse of oil to last for all eight full days and nights; and by that time, the next batch of oil would be ready.

To this day, the Hebrew people celebrate this Miracle of the Menorah, which is an eight-day Feast, called ‘The Feast of Dedication.’ This is The Miracle of the one day’s oil, that lasted eight days.

However, the other Miracle was given to us, who were formerly known as the Hume’s Owl, or, Common Barn Owl; until Mr. Hadoram Shirihai discovered we were of a rare species; thus, naming us, ‘Strix Hadorami.’ That's how I got my name, Rami. He was the son of Eli Shirihai, who is also a descendant of The Maccabees, who had passed down this myth to him as a young boy.

And, so the story goes, growing up in Jerusalem, at age 13, he became fascinated with birds and spent most of his time studying and documenting the behavior of shorebirds, as well as, bird migration and raptor breeding. Later, in the 1980s to the 1990s, as a young man, this led him to become the founder of 'The International Birdwatching Center' in Eilat, Israel, on the Coast of The Red Sea, which is where our species were found in the desert. He learned that we are desert owls and that we are quite different, and published his findings while concealing our secret, so he thought. But evil people have been searching for us ever since, in hopes of becoming wealthy by selling us to the highest bidder. And, that is how I ended up in America in your barn.

As you know, this time of year in Eilat, the desert climate and humidity are like the warm sea, with temperatures of around 70 °F, and an average of about 360 sunny days a year, much different than your barn in Tennessee. And us being ‘Sedentary birds, who mostly just sit around, we would become a frozen lump of feathers.”

“Frozen lump of feathers." Drake chuckled.

“Wait!” said Dad. “So you're telling me that we are related to Mr. Hadoram Shirihai, and are descendants of The Maccabees? And the other miracle given, is the ability to hear and understand you guys talk? Unbelievable, just unbelievable!”

“I guess it’s no mistake that you ended up at our house in Tennessee, right?” asked Hayden “The Angel led you here, so we could help you get home.”

“Y’all, I wonder if Mr. Shirihai is still around. He could help us get you back to the ravine!” MiMi asked.

“What an excellent idea MiMi!” Drake replied.

“I would guess; No, on both ideas,” answered PawPaw.

“I’m with Dad.” the boy's father agreed.

“But, I know where he is,” said Rami.

“That’s impossible. That would make him almost one hundred years old.” Momma Lor Jo stated.

“Boy, this weekend gets weirder and weirder.” Hayden said, as he put his head in his hands.

“He lives not too far from here.” Rami interjected. “I could go visit him right now and put in the request;

and fly back by nightfall.”

“I say, let’s get this show on the road! What do you say, Dad?” Drake declared.

“Um…well, I say, what are you waiting for, I guess,” he replied.

“This is crazy!” Momma Lori Jo said, throwing up her arms.

So with almost everyone on board with the idea, Rami took flight and started the day’s journey to this Ornithologist’s home, in hopes of coming back with a good report. MiMi began making lunch, while the rest straightened up the den. Afterward, the clock seemed to tick ever so slowly. So, Hayden played a board game with PawPaw, to pass the time of anticipation, while Drake tended to the owlets, awaiting Rami’s return.

When she arrived at the home of Mr. Shirihai, the reunion was quite the scene. He could not believe his eyes and thought he was in a dream.

“It’s really you.” he said, “It’s been so many years, I thought you were dead!”

“I’m alive and well,” Rami said, “and I have babies now, but I need your help getting us back to the clef."

As she begins to tell the awful story, with great passion, he quickly answers, “I will surely help. No dread! My crew of young Ornithologists can carry you and your owlets safely home."

So off they went, to retrieve the owlets.

Upon returning, MiMi’s eyes were as big as saucers. “This is just too much!” she said.

Momma Lori Jo agreed, and asked; “This is the guy from the book?”

“Don’t fall out, MiMi,” Hayden said.

After all the greetings and questions and such, Mr. Shirihai clapped his hands and said, “Well, where are the little guys? I must be getting on the road.”

“Leaving so soon?” Drake frowned.

“It’s time to say goodbye, Drake.” Dad said while handing Mr. Shirihai the crate.

Hugging Rami ever so tightly, and with tears in his eyes, “Will we ever see you again?” Drake earnestly wanted to know. And upon closing the lid, Hayden patted their heads, and replied, “Yeah, Rami, we’re gonna miss you and these little ones.”

Mr. Shirihai loads up and reassures them; “As long as Rami returns each year, you boys are always welcome to visit. Rami and I will always be here;” he stated, with the oddest look on his face.

“Wait, how old are you, Mr. Shirihai?” asked Momma Lori Jo.

He strangely smiles, then replies; “Did you know that in ancient times there were night watchmen that stood guard in The HolyTemple?". With a brilliant blue, his eyes, did glow, then he drove away.

Everyone stood there, frozen without a word to say.

Finally, PawPaw asked, “Did anyone see that?”

Looking at each other, they replied in unison; “Nope, Nope, nothing here!” Then scattered into the house.

When the evening came to a close, PawPaw spoke a Yearly Blessing, as MiMi lit the Menorah.

This was one Hanukkah everyone is sure to remember.

With Peace in their hearts, and everyone now ready for bed, MiMi tucked in the boys and sighed; “Wow, what a day!”, then told the boys goodnight.

As the lights go out, Drake asks; “What’s for tomorrow?”

“Go to sleep!” said Hayden, pounding him with his pillow.