The fast is over. And thank G-d, it wasn't hard this year. What was hard was the bedtime fight I had with my son. And so I wonder... In the spirit of Yom Kippur was I to let my son stay up and therefor avoid all possible tension? Or is that me taking the easy way out? Maybe consistency, though unpleasant, is the responsible thing to do.
I don't know if there is a 'right' answer. What I do know is that during Neilah, when the gates of shamayim were closing, I wish the words loudly pouring from my mouth weren't "Go to sleep now! And I don't want to see your face again for the rest of this night!"
If the person I loved most in this world yelled that at me I would be crushed.
So my prayer today is this:
Hashem, please keep your gates open just a little bit longer. Please help me guard what comes out of my mouth with all the vehemence I apply to what goes in. Help me have as much patience with my family as You show me each and every minute. Please don't close Your heavenly gates just yet. And if You do, please close them with me inside!
1. Food
2. A calm morning
3. A forgiving family
4. A forgiving G-d
Thank God my fast was not so difficult either this year. But, as for you, the difficult part was taking care of three children all day. And yes, bedtime was a challenge! I love you Tovah!
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