I thought I knew what her fervent tefillos were for

Our family is into puzzles these days. The mother, not so much, but the kids apparently got their father’s genes, and they pump out puzzles like I pump out kugels. I tried a few times, and was left stuck, holding a piece I was so sure went somewhere specific, but wouldn’t fit no matter how I twisted and turned. Then one of my kids took it, stared at the scene for four seconds, and clicked it easily where it belongs. Usually nowhere where I thought it went. Like I said, just not my thing.

I’ve been thinking about my lack of puzzle talent all day. How I’m so sure something belongs somewhere, so sure this is supposed to just click there….

See, Aviva got married last night. Aviva is my daughter Rena’s best friend, and over the past couple of years she’s become part of our clan. As the two last single girls from their seminary chevreh, Rena and Aviva bonded even more as time went on, and when Aviva got engaged, the excitement in our home was through the roof.

Yesterday, on the Big Day, I picked up my younger boys from school early so we could get to Brooklyn in time for the kabbalas panim. At the chuppah, they positioned themselves in the front rows — reserved for family, of course — while the girls took their seats toward the back where they could kvell, cry, and daven in privacy. I stood in the back taking in the scene, watching this beautiful kallah become Shimi’s wife.

My eyes scanned the room and fell on Rena. There she stood, hidden by a pillar, shuckling ever so slightly as she read Tehillim off a card they had given out. A few minutes in, I watched as she closed the card over her finger, and with her eyes shut tight, continued to daven.

And daven. And daven.