Page 136 - issue
P. 136
forever be her mother’s pet project. “Mazal tov! I heard that the chassan good reason.”
Efrayim was up in arms about their is a successful insurance broker.” “It was my pleasure too,” Chana said.
Diane moved away, and Chana felt
mother’s remarriage. His concerns and “They probably met because of
worries, she knew, stemmed from an Chana’s insurance issues. You must her shoulders relax ever so slightly.
imagined belief that their mother might have heard that she had some trouble Interesting that Diane had gotten the
forget about them. having her late husband’s policy impression that her resignation had
released.” to do with her future marriage and
Rusi, however, was confident that move out of Brooklyn. That must
such a thing would never happen. Her “Really? Wow. What an interesting have been Faigy’s doing. The truth, of
mother didn’t have it in her to write world.” course, was that Chana Schwimmer
them out of her life. Reuven too had decided that she wasn’t cut out
seemed like a solid family man, and Chana’s face would have turned to be a businesswoman. A volunteer,
Rusi trusted her mother’s decision to beet red if she’d heard her neighbors’ definitely, but a leader she certainly
marry him. Their future together exchange. Thankfully, her attention was was not. Mulling over Diane’s words,
looked bright. focused elsewhere, as she accepted the she realized that her former employ-
warm wishes of Reuven’s sisters and er was fine with her resignation. She
Yes, housing would be an issue, but daughters-in-law and listened to snip- hadn’t expressed her sadness over
they’d solve that problem together. As pets of exciting family stories from each her loss of a good worker; instead
Etty had suggested, the most prudent of them. she’d said that she’d grown from hav-
thing might be to take in a tenant. Not ing Chana work for her. Apparently
Etty necessarily, but someone with They were celebrating their engage- her business acumen and ability to
whom she could share a house and still ment in a simple Flatbush shul, but problem-solve had grown as a result
retain her own sense of independence because Chana had left the party of Chana’s period of employment.
and pride in her future choices. arrangements to her sister, everything
was on a gargantuan scale. Mauve and Diane had already informed her that
“I am,” Rusi said calmly. And as she cream vied for attention, and luscious the person who’d be taking over the
said the words, she suddenly drew an platters of heavily decorated cakes and Brooklyn NMC had been the CEO of a
image of the coming months: Her cookies claimed center stage. small company for six years. Diane
mother remarrying and her being on must have realized that her organiza-
her own. There’d be a period of adjust- “Chana, mazal tov!” tion needed someone with experience.
ment and then… Chana looked up into the face of a And Chana had come to her own real-
woman whom she recognized more by ization while working for her. Her mov-
She was confident in her mother. voice than by appearance. “Diane. It’s ing on now was beneficial for them
Confident in the inherent goodness of so nice that you came.” both.
remarriage, and her feelings were “It’s my pleasure to be at your sim-
affecting her core sense of being. Rusi cha,” her former boss said warmly. “Mazal tov.”
Schwimmer was able to express her “Ever since you joined the New Another hug. Another bracha. Life
unequivocal acceptance of her moth- Mothers’ Circle, I’ve been mentioning was moving forward, and Hashem
er’s choices because something inside you every day in my tefillos.” orchestrated events so that they all
of her had matured. “I’m sure that that’s been a factor took place at precisely the right
here,” Chana said, her voice sincere moment.
She was ready to move on with her and happy. “I’m touched by all of the “Im yirtzeh Hashem by Rusi. And
own life. people who’ve told me that they’ve your own wedding should be with
been davening for me.” mazel too, of course.”
◆◆◆ Diane smiled. Then she grasped “Amen.”
Chana’s arm. “Your sister told me that Rusi passed by just then, and she
“Mazal tov! Mazal tov!” you plan on moving to Far Rockaway.” exchanged a look laden with meaning
“Did you see my sister? She looks “I do,” Chana said. with her mother. “How many times? Did
positively radiant. Hardly a day older “Well, I hope you’ll continue to share you count?” she whispered.
than 19. You’d never know she’s nearly some of your inspiration with us. I’ve “Count what?” Chana asked.
50.” learned so much from you.” “The ‘im yirtzeh Hashem by Rusi’s’?”
“Faigy, it’s okay for Chana to look Chana waited. Knowing that Diane’s Chana laughed. It was a relief to
her age. Everyone knows she’s a widow, specialty was mixing business with hear her daughter make light of her
and we’re happy that she’s found the pleasure, she was sure the other single status. “Oh, maybe 20,” she said.
‘right one’ the second time around.” woman had something else to add. “And five shidduch suggestions too.”
“Oh, but she has. She certainly has. “You’ve had so many eye-opening Rusi looked at her seriously.
And you can see it on her face. Not a ideas,” Diane continued. “I’ve grown so “You want me to pursue those sug-
day older than 19, I’m telling you.” much from having you work for us. I gestions?”
Chana was indeed radiant, and must say that I was surprised when
Faigy, of course, was Faigy. Chana’s all- you resigned, but I’m glad it’s for a
knowing, forever-loving older sister,
eager and proud as a peacock to show
her off.
128 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
Efrayim was up in arms about their is a successful insurance broker.” “It was my pleasure too,” Chana said.
Diane moved away, and Chana felt
mother’s remarriage. His concerns and “They probably met because of
worries, she knew, stemmed from an Chana’s insurance issues. You must her shoulders relax ever so slightly.
imagined belief that their mother might have heard that she had some trouble Interesting that Diane had gotten the
forget about them. having her late husband’s policy impression that her resignation had
released.” to do with her future marriage and
Rusi, however, was confident that move out of Brooklyn. That must
such a thing would never happen. Her “Really? Wow. What an interesting have been Faigy’s doing. The truth, of
mother didn’t have it in her to write world.” course, was that Chana Schwimmer
them out of her life. Reuven too had decided that she wasn’t cut out
seemed like a solid family man, and Chana’s face would have turned to be a businesswoman. A volunteer,
Rusi trusted her mother’s decision to beet red if she’d heard her neighbors’ definitely, but a leader she certainly
marry him. Their future together exchange. Thankfully, her attention was was not. Mulling over Diane’s words,
looked bright. focused elsewhere, as she accepted the she realized that her former employ-
warm wishes of Reuven’s sisters and er was fine with her resignation. She
Yes, housing would be an issue, but daughters-in-law and listened to snip- hadn’t expressed her sadness over
they’d solve that problem together. As pets of exciting family stories from each her loss of a good worker; instead
Etty had suggested, the most prudent of them. she’d said that she’d grown from hav-
thing might be to take in a tenant. Not ing Chana work for her. Apparently
Etty necessarily, but someone with They were celebrating their engage- her business acumen and ability to
whom she could share a house and still ment in a simple Flatbush shul, but problem-solve had grown as a result
retain her own sense of independence because Chana had left the party of Chana’s period of employment.
and pride in her future choices. arrangements to her sister, everything
was on a gargantuan scale. Mauve and Diane had already informed her that
“I am,” Rusi said calmly. And as she cream vied for attention, and luscious the person who’d be taking over the
said the words, she suddenly drew an platters of heavily decorated cakes and Brooklyn NMC had been the CEO of a
image of the coming months: Her cookies claimed center stage. small company for six years. Diane
mother remarrying and her being on must have realized that her organiza-
her own. There’d be a period of adjust- “Chana, mazal tov!” tion needed someone with experience.
ment and then… Chana looked up into the face of a And Chana had come to her own real-
woman whom she recognized more by ization while working for her. Her mov-
She was confident in her mother. voice than by appearance. “Diane. It’s ing on now was beneficial for them
Confident in the inherent goodness of so nice that you came.” both.
remarriage, and her feelings were “It’s my pleasure to be at your sim-
affecting her core sense of being. Rusi cha,” her former boss said warmly. “Mazal tov.”
Schwimmer was able to express her “Ever since you joined the New Another hug. Another bracha. Life
unequivocal acceptance of her moth- Mothers’ Circle, I’ve been mentioning was moving forward, and Hashem
er’s choices because something inside you every day in my tefillos.” orchestrated events so that they all
of her had matured. “I’m sure that that’s been a factor took place at precisely the right
here,” Chana said, her voice sincere moment.
She was ready to move on with her and happy. “I’m touched by all of the “Im yirtzeh Hashem by Rusi. And
own life. people who’ve told me that they’ve your own wedding should be with
been davening for me.” mazel too, of course.”
◆◆◆ Diane smiled. Then she grasped “Amen.”
Chana’s arm. “Your sister told me that Rusi passed by just then, and she
“Mazal tov! Mazal tov!” you plan on moving to Far Rockaway.” exchanged a look laden with meaning
“Did you see my sister? She looks “I do,” Chana said. with her mother. “How many times? Did
positively radiant. Hardly a day older “Well, I hope you’ll continue to share you count?” she whispered.
than 19. You’d never know she’s nearly some of your inspiration with us. I’ve “Count what?” Chana asked.
50.” learned so much from you.” “The ‘im yirtzeh Hashem by Rusi’s’?”
“Faigy, it’s okay for Chana to look Chana waited. Knowing that Diane’s Chana laughed. It was a relief to
her age. Everyone knows she’s a widow, specialty was mixing business with hear her daughter make light of her
and we’re happy that she’s found the pleasure, she was sure the other single status. “Oh, maybe 20,” she said.
‘right one’ the second time around.” woman had something else to add. “And five shidduch suggestions too.”
“Oh, but she has. She certainly has. “You’ve had so many eye-opening Rusi looked at her seriously.
And you can see it on her face. Not a ideas,” Diane continued. “I’ve grown so “You want me to pursue those sug-
day older than 19, I’m telling you.” much from having you work for us. I gestions?”
Chana was indeed radiant, and must say that I was surprised when
Faigy, of course, was Faigy. Chana’s all- you resigned, but I’m glad it’s for a
knowing, forever-loving older sister,
eager and proud as a peacock to show
her off.
128 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
