"Shehecheyanu"

As I was preparing the route for the Sukkah Mobile for next week, I remembered one of the highlights of our Sukkot visit last year. I don't think I'm going to forget the face of that man. 

The Sukkah Mobile was parked in Cowichan Bay, right next to the water, where a couple of Jewish people from the Valley were schmoozing and getting ready to climb up to the Sukkah.

From the corner of my eye I saw a man walking slowly towards us with incredulous eyes. I remember seeing him actually rub his eyes and after a moment of shock, he hastened his pace. "What?! Jews on this Island? A Sukkah here?! And you also have a Lulav and Etrog?!"

A moment later this Israeli man, was holding the Lulav and Etrog, in the Sukkah. I don't think I ever heard someone saying a Bracha on the Lulav with such joy and excitement. I think I saw a tear slide down his cheek when he said: "Brauch Ata.. Shehecheyanu vekiyemanu vhigianu lizman hazeh" (Blessed are You... who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to this day).