I’m in survival mode, using every ounce of energy to keep my house running, have supper on the table and clean clothes in the drawers
We contemplate and ask sh’eilos and discuss and discuss some more; the bris is only a day away and we haven’t yet decided on a name
When she stayed with us, the sounds of her schmoozing with my mother was our early wakeup call, and the conversations continued way past bedtime
Was I married, I asked. Did I have kids? This was not a given in my 11th grade mind. And amazingly, baruch Hashem, I can smirk at that now
Talking to the wall takes the pressure away. It’s the key to fewer power struggles. “I’m not talking to you, Miriam! I’m just explaining it to the wall”
And so we moved out of town. Said goodbye to all the comforts I took for granted. Goodbye to everything familiar and delicious
