The perfect formula to ruin a family Shabbos
When the last slice of cheesecake disappears and summer vacation begins in full swing, it’s time to start planning. The extended Miller family Shabbos Nachamu retreat in the country has been a tradition since forever. It’s sacred family time; everyone makes sure to be there for the weekend, we have a gala program and menu, and it’s the highlight of my parents’ year.
I enjoy it too, don’t get me wrong. It’s just the lead-up that gets me. You see, part of the family tradition is that the bulk of the organization, delegating, arranging, and basically pulling everything together falls on one person: me.
Most years, it’s worked out fine. I’m the oldest, I’m a party planner, I can pull off events no problem. So I set up a few google spreadsheets, prepare a menu, delegate the cooking, collect money from everyone, hire entertainers, prepare some games. My sisters pitch in with the food, the weekend goes like clockwork, everyone’s happy.
This year, though, something snapped. Maybe it was the time factor: the family’s grown, I was working two jobs, and I just didn’t have time anymore. Shimmy had a minor surgery, Bracha was off to seminary soon and wasn’t pitching in as much, and Adina, my oldest, had just started shidduchim. I felt like my days were an endless blur of on-the-phone, in-the-car, shopping and working and cooking and working and cleaning and working and barely catching a couple hours sleep before starting the whole routine again.
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