A good friend of mine sent me an unexpected early birthday present. She’d posted tons of pictures of her summer trip with her son to Universal Studios in California, but it turns out she left out the picture of the replica of Hermione’s magic wand she bought for me at the Harry Potter store.
I had no idea this was coming. She’d sent me surprise care packages early in the summer to help me through my second oral surgery, but I’m still not used to this kind of care, so when I opened this package and found the long box with a wand nestled inside, as if it had come directly from Ollivander’s wand shop, I was speechless and struggled even to take it all in..
My first thought when I finally held the wand in my hand was that I should point it at Ellie’s heart – to heal her. I know it doesn’t work that way, but not so deep inside of me there’s a little girl who wants to believe in magic and really doesn’t want to lose another family member so soon, or ever. My next thought was of how, during my first year teaching synagogue school, I brought the kids pretzel sticks and showed them how to use them as magic wands, as part of a lesson on prayer, as a way to emphasize the power of words to create our reality.
My next thought was that I really needed to try some spells, not only because I wanted to believe they could work, but to see if I could create some healing ritual, some way to remind myself that I’m really not so alone. I went online and googled “Hermione’s Spells” and found a long list of the spells she’d performed throughout the books and the movies. She had spells to open doors and fill a cup with water and disarm an enemy and freeze someone in place. She used practical spells, like making Harry’s glasses impervious to rain, or creating a fire to cook with, and powerful spells, like confusing enemies or making them forget what they’d just experienced. She used her words to cause harm, and to protect, and even to knit small hats for house elves, but I couldn’t find a spell to heal heartbreak, or anything I could use to stop Ellie from dying, or to bring peace to Israel and the Palestinians. I guess even Hermione wouldn’t presume to have that kind of power.
I’m pretty sure that Ellie spends a lot of her time, when she’s sitting in front of the bookcase that holds her treats, whispering her own version of the summoning charm, hoping that chicken treats will start to fly directly into her mouth. Maybe if she had her own wand those summoning charms would really work. I wish that for her, and for me. I think we could all use a little more magic in our lives.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
Wouldn’t it be great if it worked that way? 😔.
Yes!
Maybe you need Professor Snape’s wand when he healed Malfoy.
Oooooooh! Yes!
I love your tale of childlike innocence. I believe you do have some magical gifts.
Thank you so much!
Hope for miracles
I do!
Your post exudes an intimate sense of wonderfulness and of hopefulness, and makes a believer of your readers. Dear Ellie and you deserve the magic that’s all around. Arthur C. Clark said “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” The advanced technology and skills and art that your veterinarians use to help Ellie brings magic to life! 💕 to you, Ellie and your Mom.
Thank you so much!
I have been thinking and wondering and worried about you and Ellie. Your post was the perfect blend of whimsical imagination to deal with the heaviness of reality. That wand was a beautiful gift. I am glad for it and for the thoughtfulness of your friend.
Me too! Thank you!
A little more magic? wouldn’t that be nice. So many things we could wand wave away, the nonstop horror of war for one to start. Spells, give me spells. Love this post Rachel … for so many wished wand reasons. I know, silly thoughts right? Hearts to Ellie and to you.
Thank you!
🫤🤗❤️🕊️🐶
A magic wand would be so good right now.
Seriously!
Unexpected gifts are the best
All gifts are wonderful!!!
True!
I have my own word for a magical spell. The word is “someday“. I use it whenever I want something really bad and it doesn’t appear. It helps me have hope that it still may appear, it’s just not the right time yet.
I hope your magic wand helps you to believe in the miracles of love, life and happiness.
I love that idea! Thank you!
Keep the wand handy. Ya never know….
Exactly!
It’s always worth trying. 😊🪄
Right!
Please give Ellie a chicken treat from me and the pups as we wave our own magic wands for her.
She will be so happy!!!
We sure can all use a little more magic in our lives, and if I had the power, I would certainly invest you with the ability to use your wand–knowing you’d do so wisely and humanely. Wishing you a happy and healthy birthday whenever it is–and may little Ellie hang on for as long she can.
Thank you so much!
The world is magical. Go for it.
Dogs are magic. They are just animals, yet they somehow sense when we need them most. In return, I believe we are able to sense when they need us the most. Man’s best friend indeed!
Absolutely!
My you have magic in your life, and continue to have love in your heart.
Thank you!
Happy Birthday (((HUG)))
If only that kind of magic existed. I wish it does for you.
Thank you!
May your days be filled with magic and love.
Thank you!
Magic spells would make life so much easier. I hope your life has as much magic as possible.
Thank you!!!
Sending the best to you and your little girl. I pray for strength and peace for the both of you for whatever trials are ahead. ❤️
Thank you!
The ultimate gift my kids would say. They each have one.. 32, 34, 37 and 39.. let the magic begin
Yes!!!!
The ‘magic’ of the Harry Potter series lingers for so many of us – I know it brings a smile whenever I think upon it/them.
What a brilliant gift. You have a very sweet friend.
I really do! Thank you!
Your dogs are so cute! Happy Birthday!!!!
Omg this is an awesome gift! Especially for all the Potter fans. Hope you find some spooky spells to try!
Thank you!