The moments before candle lighting, candle lighting, and how to keep candle lit during the week…

Pots boiling on the stove
Papers scattered on the table
Rush rush the clock is ticking fast
Quick hide the laundry pile
Wipe up spills

I check the mirror
I pause
I breathe
lift match to candle
Light flashes
Voice quiet
Whispering secret hopes

I smile at my daughters
Reach for a hug
Set the table
I can transform chaos into calm

Shabbos ends
Slowly back to noise and work
I feel my candle glow inside
When chaos creeps into my day
With fighting siblings
Friendships breaking
I can bring that shabbos calm,
Pause
And the share my flame of kindness
Smile, Listen, Laugh
Light someone else’s candle
So they can pass it on