I was in my workshop putting the final touches on Shifra’s earrings. The split-lapping machine was on and I fumbled around for the compound and poised the earring to polish it. I was so excited she was coming by tonight.

“Abby?” I heard Rafi calling my name. Were he and Daniel home already? They’d gone to the Mishkan fair a father-and-son affair. I wasn’t complaining it was at night and one less thing to have to go to.

I checked the time 8:30 p.m. not so early I’d totally lost track. I took off my goggles wiped my hands and entered the house. I was about to ask “How was?” but I didn’t have to. Daniel was glowing with sheepish pride and Rafi might as well have been thumping his chest in paternal delight.

“It was amazing!” Rafi thundered.

“I’m sure a whole bunch of kids’ Mishkan projects was fascinating. Popsicles sticks and all.” I remarked.

“No most were a mix of Lego Duplo and Playmobil. Daniel’s blew everyone’s out of the water. It almost wasn’t fair to have his there; it made everyone else look so bad.”

I looked at Daniel for confirmation; he smiled shyly at me and tried protesting.

“Plotzker’s father made really big Mizbeiach and spray painted it gold ” he offered.

“Father?” I said after him.

Rafi cut in “Yeah no one told me it’s a father-son project.” He winked. “Good thing Daniel had you or I’d be in the ER with a nail through my thumb and he’d have a plank of wood with some glue and glitter on it.”

“But you did it mostly yourself; I just helped you in the beginning ” I said talking more to myself than Daniel.

“Right.” Daniel smiled with unabashed pride. I did something right or rather Rafi helped me do something right by not letting me help more after I got him started and showed him the techniques.

I looked around the kitchen. “So where’s the Choshen?” I asked.

Daniel beamed again “The rebbeim asked if they could keep it; take turns using it to teach from in class.”

“Really?! Wow.” I shot Rafi a look he didn’t seem to notice; he was too busy smiling.

“Yeah and so many kids wanted to check it out; they want you to teach them how to do it.” Daniel was bobbing like an eager puppy.

I laughed and pulled a face — in their dreams. “Not sure about that ” I said.

“So I can teach them!” Daniel said undeterred. Suuuure kid you do that. I studied him a moment. He wanted to do it he wanted to be with others this whole Choshen business was like his final ticket to social acceptance — both ways.

There was a lull and then Daniel said “Thanks for everything Ma.” He came over and hugged me. Daniel hugged me. I can’t remember the last time he did that. My heart melted. I looked at Rafi he shrugged and smiled. I looked down and leaned my head on Daniel’s smelling his hair oh my he needs a shower but I was so happy he’s happy. Yet something nagged at me. (Excerpted from Family First Issue 576)