But it’s just that — a boo-boo—she reiterated to them. “The doctors are going to fix him, b’ezras Hashem”

While my husband and I had months to process the news of Akiva’s condition, our friends and family had only days. I’m so grateful for how quickly and sensitively they adapted to the narrative. I’m not sure what they thought of his appearance, but at least adults know how to whisper.

Children, not so much.

Which is why my sister-in-law Nechama was worried about her upcoming visit with her kids. They would walk into our apartment, their arms laden with the handmade cards and little treats that they’d brought for the new baby, and then they’d take one look at him and voice all their questions. A new cousin — how exciting. But why does he so look so funny?

Nechama prepared her children before they left for our apartment. “You know how when you were a baby in Mommy’s tummy, a malach learned Torah with you? Well, Shoshana’s baby has such a heilige neshamah that he didn’t want to stop learning. He didn’t want to leave, so the malach had to give him a big shove to get him out. That’s how he got his boo-boo.”

But it’s just that — a boo-boo—she reiterated to them. “The doctors are going to fix him, b’ezras Hashem.”