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I

t’s amazing how things work out sometimes in the most incredible ways. That’s what happened to me. I was stuck really stuck desperate for a solution but I couldn’t even imagine one coming through. Then things unbelievably fell into place in a way that made everyone involved happy. I keep pinching myself to make sure it’s real. How could we not realize that Someone is in control? It all started with my camp reunion shabbaton. No that’s not right. It started before that with my new briefcase. No actually we have to go back further to my Bubby’s stroke. Okay let’s start with that.

My grandparents live on the other side of town about six miles from our house too far to walk but a very quick drive away. We’ve always been very close popping in on each other during the week and taking turns hosting each other for Shabbos. It was wonderful for all of us — Bubby and Zeidy never had a chance to be lonely and we kids loved the attention they showered on us. And then Bubby had a stroke. Bubby was pretty sick; I don’t think I was ever more afraid in my entire life.

Baruch Hashem she pulled through and was released from the hospital to rehab where she worked unbelievably hard. We were of course all thrilled when Bubby finally came home but even the youngest of my siblings realized she wasn’t back to herself. It was painful to see how many things she couldn’t do that were once easy for her. Cooking large seudos something she used to take great pride in was now out of the question. Even if we brought everything it was too much for Bubby to host our whole family. Coming to our house was equally problematic as there were many steps an insurmountable hurdle. Also although no one wanted to say it Bubby wouldn’t be able to tolerate the hustle and bustle of my large family something she once reveled in. A solution needed to be found.

Zeidy and Bubby insisted they were perfectly fine spending Shabbos on their own but my parents refused to consider it. My father had left the family to spend Shabbos with Bubby in the hospital and in rehab but Zeidy and Bubby wouldn’t allow him to keep that up now that they no longer considered it necessary. The solution when we finally found one was simple. My parents would stay home with most of the family and my mother would send all the seudos along with one of the older kids who would help serve and clean up in addition to livening things up a bit in Bubby and Zeidy’s house. I the oldest at 14 would take turns with 13-year-old Dovy and my super-mature 11-year-old sister Hindy.

It was embarrassing how grateful Bubby and Zeidy were considering that we loved every minute spent with them. Zeidy would stock up on our favorite treats plus we each had friends in the area. We help out tons more at home and we enjoy both the attention and the quiet relaxation — in addition to limitless desserts — at our grandparents’ house. It was great for all concerned! My parents made a schedule but we were allowed to switch as long as we each happily agreed.

It worked out perfectly — until it didn’t.