I of the Storm: Chapter 1

I turned the lock of my bedroom door.

Alone. Finally alone. Separated from my offspring by a two-inch thick portal — and it still wasn’t enough.

I threw myself on the bed. Drenched my pillow for 20 minutes. Still heaving, I took out my siddur from the armoire. If you’re going to be the protagonist of a parenting soap opera, at least inject some spirituality.

I turned to Hallel. “Ana Hashem, I am Your servant…” A fresh waterfall of tears.