The Wisdom Within

Much to my surprise, I discovered that we had been neighbors as children and had attended the same shul. Her demeanor was contained, unflappable, and sensible — like a stellar morah, I concluded, or a veteran rebbetzin, but her skin was enviously youthful.

We continued to chat, finding more connections, and with that topic spent, moved on to polite chitchat. “Is he your oldest?” she asked, motioning to my three-year-old.

“Yes,” I confirmed, adding, “I married ‘late,’” my fingers dabbing air quotes as a qualification.

“Well, they’ll have the benefit of your wisdom,” she replied smoothly — and diplomatically, I thought. I blinked. Wisdom? I laughingly brushed off her compliment, mentioning the everyday aches and pains and exhaustion of “old age.” “Still,” she firmly repeated in her teacher’s voice, “They’ll have the benefit of your wisdom.” I blinked again.