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Now, suddenly, on this night before bedikas chometz, my old father has reappeared. The father who knew us, who loved us

But in the muted, mint-green corridors, I learned how very fallible the body is, how little we can trust it. We humans are always at its mercy

For just under a dollar, I can dispense TLC, validation, and the easing of rules where they don’t really matter

I will do this, I tell myself sternly as I add lavender-scented fabric softener to the load of clothing. And I will do this right

Yes, they had heard the Purim story. No, they would not be keeping Purim — at least not in the traditional way

I wouldn’t really do that. I know I wouldn’t. It was just a fleeting thought that I shoved aside because I am so incredibly curious