« Gaza: Cease Fire Watch | Main | Gazastan »
June 13, 2007
Home
My eyes pop open. No need for an alarm clock this morning. Gray light presses against the window panes. The sun is not yet risen. I sit up and heave a deep sigh. Looking about the room, I promise myself—once again—to find a proper place for all the DVDs the Academy sends this time of year. The discs, in their vote-for-me decadent packaging, sprawl on the floor by the TV like some high-end virus.
I tell Karen that it's time.
Somewhere under the comforter Karen says: “I'm going to have a headache all day getting up this early.”
“Well, you don't have to come. I can do it alone. It's okay.”
Karen breathes: “Five more minutes.”
Downstairs, I daven, pray, make a quick breakfast, scan the front pages of the newspaper and notice that though the body count in Gaza is approaching pretty horrific levels, and though men are being hurled from high roof tops, and though people are regularly being kidnapped, tortured and murdered, and though children cannot go to school for fear of being shot down by their beloved Arab brothers, and though mortars are being lobbed all over Gaza City—the N.Y. Times still insists: "Civil War Feared."
Gee willikers, if this isn't civil war the N.Y. Times sure are a callous, blood-thirsty pack. I mean what does Fatah and Hamas have to do to get a proper "Civil War in Gaza" headline?
Sheesh, talk about the death of language.
Karen comes downstairs, prepares her tea. I can't help but smile. She dresses like a chic sun-kissed Cali lady even for this little errand. A great A-line dress, kicky gold and black-toned flats that have a nice Chanel feel. As an accessory, Karen is now wearing my old Swiss Army watch with the very broken-in leather band. It's such a cool look because the watch face appears so big and military on Karen's little wrist; it's an effortless touch—thus ultra-fashionable by virtue of not trying to be fashionable. Observe: No flip-flops, no shlumpy over-sized sweats for Karen. The love of my life knows What Not to Wear. What can I say, after thirty years of marriage the woman brings me to my knees—and she doesn't even know it.
I drive. Karen and I chat, wondering out loud if she's changed a great deal since last we saw her.
Whoa. I cruise into a great parking spot on the first level. Perfect.
We make small talk with the other anxious parents; we sit, we pace, we wait.
Observe: Lots of flip-flops and massive, baggy sweat shirts. Hmm, maybe I should nominate them for What Not to Wear. They need Stacy and Clinton—badly.
And there she is, trudging up the ramp like a Jewish peddlar from generations past; Offspring #3 is bent over, pushing her luggage cart, heavily laden with bags and suitcases.
Abruptly, Karen bursts past the No Entry Gate, right past the astonished Homeland Security Guard.
“Yo, lady!”
Karen sobs, embraces Offspring #3; holds her so tight I can see the azure veins pulsing in Karen's ivory throat.
Moving to join them, the Guard, a big burly slab, vigorously waves me back. However, he dares not interrupt mother and daughter. No doubt he senses that petite Karen will instantly deck him.
Gazing at my wife and daughter, I feel a thick lump swelling in my throat.
Offspring #3 has been studying Torah in Jerusalem for a year. She is utterly changed—and yet completely herself.
I am happy. I am proud.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at June 13, 2007 01:57 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Brucha Haba'ah, offspring #3. Hope you had a wonderful year and experience in Israel, studying at seminary.
I'm sure your parents are more than happy to have you home...for a little while, at least. Enjoy one another... (still reading chick lit?)
Posted by: Pearl at June 13, 2007 02:48 PM
Just as your post on the beauty of setting the table for Shabbat has continuously inspired me for several months, so, too, your post on the greeting the child back from Israel ritual makes gives me butterflies thinking about my own pair coming in August, Be'ezrat Hashem.
Posted by: Barzilai at June 13, 2007 02:54 PM
They say Lincoln didn't fight to free the slaves but to preserve the Union. Yet preserving the Union led to the slaves becoming free.
Robert doesn't blog to free the Palestinians but to preserve the Reunion. And preserving the Reunion will lead to ....?
Posted by: Jeremiah at June 13, 2007 05:08 PM
Pearl:
Too short a time at home. No, no more chick-lit. Off-spring #3 has, ahem, moved on to more elevated work.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 13, 2007 08:12 PM
Jeremiah:
...will lead to:
1. Freeing Jews once and for all from the bondage of voting for the Democrats.
2. Waking everyone to the mortal threat of militant Islam and the jihadists who live next door.
3. The death of the mainstream media.
4. The continued growth of the blogosphere and the multiplicity of voices that makes it truly democratic and vital.
5. The realization that creating a so-called Palestinian state would be tantamount to birthing a Fourth Reich.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 13, 2007 08:21 PM
Barzilai:
So glad I can give you butterflies. I hope your daughter's experience in Israel was as rich and rewarding as Offspring #3's at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim, a spectacular seminary.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 13, 2007 08:48 PM
So, she did not pull the typical seminary girl: Let me tell my parents I'm coming home on Wednesday but I am really coming home on Tuesday to "suprise" them?
I just don't understand why Homeland Security would not let you pass. They even let people who are sick and have a warning on their profile past the border— but maybe that's only if you are crossing from Canada.
Posted by: Ari Miller at June 13, 2007 09:58 PM
Dear Robert,
As hot a night as we have here in Chicago, I don't mind at all the added warmth of your story.
Nice!
Looking forward to Sunday morning. Oh, keep an eye open for a touristy type donning a brown straw fedora with a bewildered look on his face. That'll be me. The pretty lady next to me, my kallah Heather.
Alan
Posted by: alan at June 13, 2007 10:40 PM
Awww...this brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing year it must have been for her.
Posted by: orieyenta at June 14, 2007 08:05 AM
Ari:
I guess I'm really out of the loop. I never heard of that seminary surprise. Besides, Karen makes all the travel arrangements. We know where are children are. As for Homeland Security, well, I was wearing a yarmulke, going to hug my daughter, thus a clear and present danger to the Republic.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 14, 2007 08:49 AM
Alan:
Glad to add to the global warming:)
Greatly look forward to meeting you and Heather, your kallah. Thanks so much for going to all the trouble and expense. We are honored.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 14, 2007 08:52 AM
Orieyenta:
Absolutely amazing year. Magical and yet totally down to earth. Now, grab a tissue, dry your eyes, dab at your nose, straighten your shoulders, take a deep breath, and back to real life:)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 14, 2007 08:56 AM
Wow. My youngest is only 3 and I miss her if she spends the night at her grandparents. What a joy it must be to have your daughter home. Enjoy!
Posted by: Albert at June 14, 2007 11:18 AM
"I promise myself once again to find a proper place for all the DVDs the Academy sends this time of year."
Your readers would doubtlessly be willing to store your cache of dvds for you.
Posted by: ari kinsberg at June 14, 2007 11:20 AM
Albert:
Believe me, though Offspring #3 is a bit older than 3, we still missed her terribly. But you have to let them grow up. Boo-hoo.
Hope to see you and Mrs. Albert on Sunday.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 14, 2007 11:45 AM
Ari:
Believe me, the DVD's make the rounds among friends and relatives.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 14, 2007 11:48 AM