I get it. Your son has a chance for the summer of a lifetime. But what about mine, left all alone without a single friend in camp?

Ahuva: Our sons made plans together, and now mine is left in the lurch.

Tzippy: It was the opportunity of a lifetime. What would you have done?

Ahuva

“Ezzy? Can you come write the thank-you notes now?”

From over on the couch, where he was immersed in some comic thriller, my son gave a groan.

“I know, I know. But it’s that time of year again.”

Ezzy pouted, then stood up, not without a loud, theatrical sigh. “What am I supposed to say, anyway?”

“Thank you for teaching me this year. Think of something you particularly enjoyed about class….”

“Being invisible?” he shot back. “Thanks, Rebbi, from Ezzy Stern, the kid in the back row, brown hair, glasses, just in case you need the memory aid.”

“Rabbi Friedman definitely knows who you are,” I said mildly. “He’s called me more than once to say you’re doing great.”

“Yeah, well. Not great enough to get chosen for anything special.”

He was right. Ezzy was your classic right-in-the-middle-of-the-lane guy, getting along just fine, but not a superstar either. He was a little quiet, the under-the-radar type. It took his teachers time to notice and get to know him.

We worked very hard to give him other outlets, clubs and leagues and spaces where he had more of a chance to shine. He’d made a couple of solid friends, too, and I don’t stop thanking Hashem for that, because it didn’t come so easily. He was a great kid, but just not that confident. And seeing your kid lonely can break your heart.

Ezzy scrawled something on a card and jumped up again. “I’m meeting Shua, we’re going bike riding, okay?”

“Wait — your other teachers!” I said. “Write them and go, okay?”

S

hua Hirshfeld was a blessing.

He and Ezzy were part of the same baseball league, and at some point they’d hit it off and actually become friends. Shua was outgoing, smart, and fun — and their friendship did wonders for Ezzy. It opened him up, made him feel like one of the gang.

Making friends with Shua was a turning point for Ezzy. And even now, when he’s in a better place socially, Shua’s the anchor. They hang out together most Sundays, go to baseball practice together, even do some homework on the odd occasion.

This year, they’d even be attending sleepaway camp together — a huge milestone for Ezzy, who’d be going for the first time.