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A Bisl Torah

We find ourselves holding our breath


Our flight home from Florida to Los Angeles was filled with bumps and the kind of drops that caused my stomach to flip more than once. I asked the flight attendance how she felt and she said this flight was in her top three bumpiest rides. My husband thought I was overreacting when I started the chorus of applause when the plane landed…but it was truly a relief when those wheels touched ground.
 
As I gripped my seat, knuckles turning white, I felt a warm, little hand weave its way into mine. Looking down, my daughter’s arm was fully embracing my own. I asked if she was scared and with determination, she shook her head. Whether or not she was hiding her feelings, she managed to offer me both comfort and calm. A little hand with a big heart reached out at precisely, the exact, right moment.
 
Turbulence. How often our lives are thrown up and down, tossed in directions in which we can scarcely breathe or attempt to catch up. Often, we find ourselves holding our breath… even through the smooth skies waiting until the next bump hits. But who knew that sometimes an outstretched hand is all we need to ride out fear, anxiety, grief, sorrow, and whatever lurks around the corner?
 
The Talmud reminds us, “A prisoner cannot free himself from prison.” Meaning, we need someone else to pull us out of our misery. A “someone” who sees us for who we are, what we are feeling, and offers exactly what we need. Sometimes the timing is off. But sometimes, the timing is just perfect. 
 
Turbulence. May the right someone come along, offer a hand and help us breathe through our bumps. The shaking may still be strong, but sometimes a little hand and a big heart is the best distraction.
 
Shabbat Shalom 

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