After a lifetime of avodas Hashem he was ready to meet his Maker, on this holy day of Purim

I like to box every day into an emotional category. But today, Purim, was a whirlpool.'

It started off with calm introspection. Purim is such a deeply spiritual day, and somehow that usually gets swallowed up by tutus and false mustaches. Not this year. This year I was going to be proactive.

I set my alarm for an unearthly hour and tiptoed out the door while my Pharaohs and Princesses slept the sleep of the just.

The streets were deserted and the few who were on the street were trying to outrun the deluge. In shul, all was quiet save for the dancing of raindrops on the windows. The ladies’ section was almost empty, and I was able to daven and say Tehillim before the Megillah reading. It was just what I needed; a chance to finally connect to the day.

It seems like every year I wait to feel the holiness of Yom Kippur, and it gets lost amid the music and revelry. But here, in shul, it’s waiting for me.

With a newfound sense of perspective, I hurried out the door and was immediately awash with rain — and music. Ah. Purim is definitely in the air!

As I arrived home, my phone beeped.

We need a minyan at Zaidy’s bedside. Now!