A Day In Our Lives, During These Crazy Times....

Everyone woke up late due to the late-night azakot last night. I was exercising in my room (running outside would be folly) when I suddenly realized it was 9:20 and Percy usually goes for a walk at 8. I took him from the mamad, where he was with Penina and Menashe (they had given up moving back after the second siren and decided to stay there the rest of the night. I figured that the azaka was going to wake me wherever I was, so I might as well be comfortable in my own bed).

Heartfelt davening. 

I had told the Yeshiva that I would not be coming in person (as a nurse, I could technically have gone #CovidFlashbacks, but, again : FOLLY!), but would do clinic virtually if students needed me. Most were scheduled to fly out tonight, but that will not be happening since the airport is closed for the foreseeable future.

Penina, Menashe and I went grocery shopping. Limit of two cartons of eggs and two milks per person (and most stores were running low on milk). We got lots of goodies to tide us over: "If we have to live through war, we're not going to be concerned about the grocery budget. Buy whatever you want". 

The woman who organizes gluten-free meals for soldiers thought she had both a need and a driver, so I made 5 meals of GF falafel with quiona-brown rice pilaf, salad, GF pita and homemade GF cookies (from the freezer). 

Then, time to leave for work (private duty RN with an incredible Holocaust survivor who lives about ten minutes away). I called my mother as I started driving and thus missed FOURTEEN calls/Whatsapps/Facetimes from Penina and Menashe trying to make sure I knew that an "early warning stay near a safe space" had been announced. I did not know. Eek. When I finally saw that Penina was calling me on time 14, I was almost to work, thankfully. I walked in about three minutes before the siren went off and was able to help "my lovely lady" get to the mamad.

mamad hand-holding chain between me, her and her husband

I had ended up bringing the meals with me, as the coordinator was having trouble contacting the volunteer driver (which, if he is in the Army, is understandable). When I was ready to leave work, she told me she wasn't able to find anyone and that the meals were going far away so I couldn't bring them myself (honestly, I would only have gone within my city limits). As I was driving home (after updating Penina and Menashe that I was leaving and would put my phone where I could see incoming alerts), I thought to call the two miluim families I often cook for and explain that I had fresh GF meals that couldn't be frozen and would they like? I had been concerned that I might not be able to cook for these two families this week, so it was great that they both said 'yes' and, although not how I had planned it, I was glad their families could get a meal they didn't need to prepare.

Tonight we were supposed to attend a wedding at the same winery Penina and Menashe got married in. All in-person gatherings were canceled, however ;( . SO moved by the incredible letter the families sent out earlier today, which read, in part:

"Tonight was meant to be a joyful celebration of N. and G's wedding....Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the event as originally planned.

But as our history has shown time and again, the Jewish spirit is not easily shaken. N. and G. are resolute in their commitment--not only to each other, but to building a life rooted in faith, resilience and love. They have chosen to proceed with a small, intimate chuppah in a private home in the Old City of Jerusalem, a place deeply meaningful to them both and steeped in the eternal legacy of our people.

They will not allow the ayatollahs of Iran--or any enemy of Am Yisrael--to define their future. With Hashem's help, they will begin their life together with the same courage and devotion that have always carried the Jewish people forward, even in the most uncertain times"

Watched the wedding virtually (the bride carried a Mashiach-welcoming tambourine. Chills). It was so beautiful to see our people's resilience!

I slept from 10-midnight when a pre-warning woke us up. Back to the mamad. To wait and wait. Best case scenario: Israel knocked everything down outside of the country. At the moment, it's  unclear. 

Praying for peace. Praying for safety.