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W

e’re at the bus stop waiting for our children’s buses discussing separations.

“Of course I’m happy that my daughter is married building her own home” says Chanie. “But still I really do miss her sometimes. Almost all the time. I miss seeing her and speaking to her each morning and evening.”

“When my son left to yeshivah in Eretz Yisrael last zeman I walked around like a zombie for weeks” Dina admits.

I nod attempting for a sympathetic look unwilling to admit that I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Zevi my oldest just turned ten.

Zevi’s day begins early in the morning just as the first of the sun’s rays stroke the horizon. He loves waking up early when the rest of the household is still asleep. He anticipates the heralding of a new era — that of joining the older grades for Shacharis. I’m just as excited at this milestone; my little boy is growing into a young man.

As he gets ready I prepare hot cocoa for him to enjoy before he steps into the chilly darkness and a grilled cheese sandwich — his favorite — for him to take along for breakfast. Then the two of us just the two of us step outside.

As we wait for his bus we speak about many things. We speak about the comic serial he’s following his new seat a project in cheder and more. No one interrupts. His overactive siblings who rarely ever allow him to get a word in are sound asleep.

Behind us the house is blessedly quiet and here on the street it’s just the two of us in peaceful conversation. I cherish our slice of time.

Fall has us crunching on crimson leaves winter has us huddling together against icy winds and early summer mornings allow us a breather before the heat sets in for the day.