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<opener><salute>Dear God,</salute></opener>

<p>Your messenger (our Rabbi Nadoff) suggested to write a letter 
to you, and what a challenge it is!</p>

<p>A letter to you can only have a beginning, but end only when 
we finish our task here on earth.</p>

<p>In the first place, I want to thank you for the life you have 
given me and for the ability to see and enjoy the myriad of wonders 
you have created, for growing up and growing older, for my dear 
parents, brothers and sisters and the rest of my wonderful relatives.
For the friends of my childhood and the present ones. For 
my dear husband and dear son whom we tried to teach your beautiful 
Laws of "Ten Commandments", the blueprint of noble conduct. For 
my new homeland here in the United States after the horrible 
experiences and losses during the Holocaust period. For the 
renewed faith in people--though I'll never comprehend how one 
created in your image could turn to an animal state of beastiality 
and hate.</p>

<p>If I would try to go into details, I would have to thank you 
for the air I breathe, the earth I walk on, all heavenly stars, 
mountains, trees, water, flowers, grass--there is no end of things 
you created.</p>

<p>Now the second part of my letter will be questions which I 
don't expect to understand, for I have only a limited brain and 
your magnificent design is your greatness.</p>

<p>Why does a child die before he has a chance to experience life's 
treasures? Why is one deformed while another wins a beauty contest?
Why is one blessed with many abilities while others are retarded?

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Why is one lucky to be outside of a troubled area while others are 
caught in the middle? Why does one "make it" while another one 
fails? And on, and on, and on...</p>

<p>As long as I cannot find the answers, I shall try to make 
my choices according to my abilities and the circumstances I am 
in...to love or hate; to struggle through or to give up; to be of 
use or to take advantage of others--all this amid the strong current 
of emotions to take the easier road just to make life easier for 
myself or to conquer evil inclinations.</p>

<p>To relieve my conscience I can put much blame on you, dear God, 
but I love you too much and the faith I have in you carries me over 
the most painful experiences in my life.</p>

<p>In closing my letter to you I will ask you to be with me to 
the end of my days as I feel you in my heart.</p>
<closer><salute>Yours forever,</salute>
<signed>Miriam</signed>
daughter of my beloved parents <lb/>
(bless their memory)</closer>

<note>by Miriam (Golomb) Grossman</note>

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