Staying Close

The last couple of weeks have been so busy that I barely had time to do the things I actually wanted to do. Life has been full with work, kids, responsibilities, planning, and constant movement. 

While my life is filled with many blessings, the one I hold closest to my heart right now is my parents.

I built my life around them intentionally. I made them my support system and part of my everyday life so that if anything ever happens, I know exactly where I can go. They are my backup, my safety net.

This week, my brother and I randomly decided to go to Cancun. As much as I love to travel, it’s never just packing a bag and leaving. It’s arranging where everyone will stay, who the boys will be with, what clothes need to be packed, coordinating schedules, and drop-offs. There is always a plan behind the peace. And like always, I was able to rely on my parents. Dropping off my daughter with them, arranging for the boys to go with their dad, and knowing everything is handled. That kind of support is not something I take for granted. Because of them, I was able to step into my zen space. I sat on the beach, read, breathed deeply, and connected with Hashem in a way that felt calm and grounding. I got to just be without pressure, without judgment, without rushing to the next thing.

My brother and I bonded in a way that many siblings don’t often experience. We talked about life, growth, choices, and everything in between. We’ve always been close, but this vacation strengthened our bond even more. That closeness didn’t happen by accident. Our parents taught us to stay connected, to choose family, to prioritize one another. At the end of the day, family is what we truly have.

I remember when I was going through my divorce, people would tell me, “You can start fresh. You can move anywhere.” But I didn’t feel the need to run. I stayed.

Sometimes people leave their families not by choice. We move because we get married. We follow our husbands. We build lives elsewhere. And that’s beautiful too, it’s a decision made together. But my decision, as of now, is to stay close to my family.  I want my children to grow up with grandma and grandpa every single day, something I never truly experienced myself.

I remember visiting my grandparents from time to time and knowing I was loved. But it wasn’t everyday life. It wasn’t spontaneous drop-ins, morning routines, random hugs, or a scooter ride over. My children get that. They get everyday memories. They get consistency. They get presence.

Because I am single, I cherish every moment I have with my parents, knowing they are not getting any younger. I want to build as many memories as possible so that one day, when I look back, I can say we truly lived life together. I will always remember the simple days, the holidays, the travel, the ordinary routines, and the chaos, and know that I chose to stay close.

While we were in Cancun, I had one moment that really stayed with me. I sat on the balcony looking out at the ocean, listening to the waves and feeling the stillness. It was peaceful. An entire hour just to relax. This vacation was well needed.

Thank you to my family for always having my back for supporting me when I ask and even when I don’t. Thank You, Hashem, for surrounding me with exactly what I need, a mother who is nurturing, loving, warm, and truthful, and a father who is strong, opinionated, honest, and hardworking. 

I am blessed not because life is perfect, but because I am supported. Because I am surrounded by love. Because Hashem gave me exactly the family I need.

Here’s to our parents, may they live until 120. 

Cherish them!
Love them! 

Try to understand them. Build a bond with them. At the end of the day, all they want for us is the best. They have lived this life before us. They have made their own mistakes, gained their own wisdom, and carry lessons we may not yet fully see.

Staying close is not weakness.
It is gratitude, it is wisdom.

                                             Emunah