Why, I’d wonder, do I keep feeling like I must apologize for not being able to attend simchahs and social gatherings?
Since when has it become so acceptable to try to find “loopholes” for someone else observing aveilus?
Unfortunately, I find I’m asking myself that question a lot lately. It’s been a challenging couple of years for me and my family; I’m in aveilus for my father this year after having lost my mother two years ago.
The week after I got up from shivah for my mother, my good friend asked me if I could attend her daughter’s bridal shower on Zoom. I regretfully and politely declined.
“Oh,” she replied, “but it’s not in person, and there won’t be any music.”
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