On Motzaei Shabbos prior to C-Day, I made a Master List that rivaled all the lists I’ve ever made
When my oldest was four, I tried being ready for Shabbos by chatzos, but quickly discovered the wonderful diversion tactics of a four-year-old, two-year-old, and newborn. My children set up complicated obstacle courses that required me to hold them, feed them, pop pacifiers, rewind mobiles, and empty toilet-training potties, all while trying to cook and clean.
The results weren’t bad: I was ready to light candles on time with no last-minute rushing and the accompanying heart palpitations —seven hours after chatzos, but proudly ready for the Shabbos Queen.
I reframed my goals to more attainable ones (read: staying sane and losing a pound) and put away the chatzos dream for a different lifetime.
However, my oldest daughter’s recent bas mitzvah led me to wonder if I dare try to awaken that dream once again.
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