Mooo

This past Sunday was really nice.

Though it took forever to get out of the house (due to taking out to the street 10 cans of paint - - see ya!) we made it to the park and afterwards went to ice cream. As we enjoyed what may be the last of Cresent Ridge in Sharon, a bunch of our friends showed up impromptu style.

I love when that happens.

Watching babies we have seen born crawling on the grass, friends sharing their summer plans and running around, was a special moment. "Do you want a party?" one asked? "No, I'm afraid I'll cry," I reply.

In this hour or two sipping my mint chocolate chip shake, I couldn't help but wonder if this type of moment will happen for us in Beit a Shemesh (not that it happens often in Sharon - - except for when you go to the lake). Do people knock on your door or walk in just to hang out in Israel? Will I find myself at a local restaurant and a group of friends will join our table? How often will we get to see our friends in other communities...

While the country is small, Jewish life and living in the USA is very different. Families cluster tightly in areas and stick mainly to that. This meant that last year I could walk 4 or 5 blocks to see my best friends. In Israel, they may not be walkable in that way if my best friend ends up being in Jerusalem, Pardes Hana or Rechovot. But it's funny because there are so many towns and options. It'll be interesting to see how dynamics and location play out.

Our daughter's teacher from when she was a baby and we first moved to Sharon showed up later that afternoon. She declared that we will make so many friends but behind that saying I could see a small hint of sadness. Grinning from ear to ear, both still smiled. Today, when I picked her up from school, she waved in excitment a t-shirt with all of her friends signatures. "Mommy, we're moving to Israel!!!!" Fast forward to the day before pre ice cream and she was crying that she will miss a rocking horse she hasn't touched in two years. Go figure.

I found a book I kept from our son's daycare back in Malden. "We will miss you!" the pages read. And in the heat of that moment, transitioning and all, there were tears and we knew no one. I can still recall going into what was then Butcherie II (now Zayde's market) and the post office crying, where a nice lady, Marion Katz z'l picked up our daughter feeling my stress.

We leave with heavy, yet excited hearts and full hands.

My boss today, shared our VPs remark upon being informed of our move: Good for her! She's making aliyah.

Good indeed.

---

We also say goodbye/remember the Shoe Depot, Gap at Cobb, yummy tomato focaccia bread, Shaw's fruit tarts (ugh Vaad #wontmiss, sorry) and 16 Handles. Sharon isn't the same without you.

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