Back to our last night in New York. To our great delight and surprise, there was another treat in store for us before we left 770, even at this late hour of 11:30 p.m.

I had just heard that the Rebbe would be coming outside within a few minutes for Kiddush Levonah (sanctification prayer for the new moon). This was quite unexpected; only twelve of us, instead of the usual hundreds, were present.

The Rebbe walked sprightly towards me with a mischievous smile on his face, as if to say, “What? Are you still here?” The Rebbe then said to me, “It says in seforim [holy books] that it is a seguloh [auspicious] to recite Kiddush Levonah before a journey.”

After the short service, at which we exchanged the customary “Sholom Aleichem” and “Aleichem Sholom,” the Rebbe repeated that Kiddush Levonah is good before a journey and he wished me a safe trip home.

The Rebbe gave me his wonderful heartwarming smile and he waved three times to Roselyn, Hindy and Linda, who were nearby.

One cannot hope or pray for a better leave-taking.