"I kind of had a crash course this year in growing up. You won’t know this, Deeny-beany, but I used to dance"

My arm is cramping. Omigosh, it really hurts, if I don’t move right now… Dina emits a tiny cry and shifts position. Phew! If she hadn’t moved just then, my arm would’ve broken off and then I would be out one leg and one arm. Uh, haha.

Weird gallows humor aside, I look down at the teeny tiny girl in my arms, and I can’t help it, my eyes fill with tears.

She’s just so new; her whole life is ahead of her, perfect, unblemished, filled with every hope and dream that we all have for her. And it doesn’t seem fair, because I know her life won’t be perfect. This little niece of mine is going to face challenges, hardships, disappointments. Maybe even heartbreak.

The door creaks open and an extremely tan face peeks into the living room.

“Hey, Tuls,” I say softly. “Welcome home!”

He gives me a thumbs-up and then sits down on the couch beside me, ever so carefully, and peers over.

“She’s so small,” he whispers.

I giggle, because he’s making small sound like a bad thing. I hold her out to him.

“Meet your niece,” I say. He takes her like she’s a bomb about to explode, but then she lets out a soft sigh and his face breaks into a happy smile.

“She’s really cute,” he coos.

“Yeah, she really is.”

We sit a minute and just look at her. Poor little thing has no idea that she was born into a world of men. Eh, she’ll learn quickly. Effie will make sure of that.

I turn to face Naftoli. He slides her back into my arms gingerly. I snuggle my face into hers and then look up.

“So how was camp in Eretz Yisrael?”

Naftoli looks at me and tilts his head.

He looks older, although it’s only been three weeks.

“It was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”