Family Reconfigured

DOUBLE LIFE “They moved to Eretz Yisrael and when she had a baby mine was just eight months old. My husband and I flew out to help her with our own baby for just a few days. Then we had to return home quickly because another son aged 25 was ready to get engaged and waiting for us” (Photos: Shutterstock)

“I

t was the hardest thing in my life yet the greatest gift” says Adina of the birth of her youngest. “We had eight kids and two grandchildren… and then another child after eight years’ break.” Adina had difficult pregnancies each more complicated and draining than the one before so her last one was especially hard on her husband and family.

“I was 46 when I got pregnant. I was totally out of commission spending my days on the couch. But my engaged daughter needed me. She suffered to a degree — I wasn’t able to shop with her at all. I can remember her coming home crying with an outfit that just didn’t fit right but the saleslady had encouraged her that it was perfect. I felt terrible but what could I do?

“Later I spoke to a wise rebbetzin about it and she reassured me it would be fine. She even told me it would be good for my daughter to realize that people have limits and you have to make peace with them. The irony is that those two daughters are now so close. My youngest goes over to help this sister all the time. So in the end she who had the roughest time benefited the most.”