This was the first year that I got through the Passover preparations without having a panic attack (so far at least).
Last year I got up from shiva for my father about ten days before the holiday. So when it came to Pesach cleaning I kept telling myself, “Good enough.” Since I usually find myself trying to do just one more little extra thing whenever I find downtime, I repeated this mantra often!
“Good enough” for me means no obsessing or comparing myself to others, no doing things twice “just in case,” and no unnecessary errands or cooking. Also calling the rabbi to ask whether it was okay not to cover the counters. Last year was a hard year, but this year I succeeded in keeping everything under control (unless you count agreeing to go see a new mother with breastfeeding issues late last night).
Even if I had wanted to go overboard, I didn’t have the time. My siblings, brother-in-law and three nieces and nephews arrived right after Purim for my father’s first yahrzeit (anniversary of death). We held a small, moving ceremony for the unveiling of his tombstone, and then spent Shabbat together.
My niece has been updating a page about my father containing obituaries and memorials, along with interesting details about the Dead Sea Scrolls controversy.
A few days after my family left, I went to a conference in Europe for 5 days. I’d never been to Europe before and only now do I realize that I consciously avoided it until now. I had a wonderful vacation with gorgeous weather. Now I understand why so many Israelis hop over there for weekends. The only jet lag was from changing the clocks last week.
Because my energy went into hosting and playing tourist, blogging went onto the back burner. And speaking of burners, it’s time to get back to the kitchen.
Chag kasher ve’sameach–A happy and wonderful Passover to all.
Pesach Posts at A Mother in Israel
Mishpacha Magazine’s Pesach Schedule
Passover Seder in the Israeli Army
Tips for Keeping Kids Interested in the Seder
Chag kasher v’samei’ach to you and your family!
Chab Sameach to you. Always enjoy what you have to say.
Thanks so much Baila!
Chag kasher v’sameach! I’m glad you were able to be together with family for the yahrzeit, and also that you got to go to Europe and have a good time 🙂
One is obligated to have a good time on pesach. This is a mitzvah from the Torah. Though strictly speaking this would mean to have the barbecue of peace offerings but still there is a basic obligation of being happy on pesach.
I hope you made it through the rest of the prep and the seder free of panic attacks! Mo’adim lesimcha.
Thanks Miriam! Chagim uzmanim lesasson.
Glad to read that last week went smoothly. Hope you enjoy the fun part of this week.
I enjoy reading about your father’s work on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Thank you Leora! Back in the kitchen today. Glad someone is reading my niece’s collection. Chag sameach.
I’m thankful you had a much-deserved vacation in Europe.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your father, I’m sure the passage of time doesn’t easily heal the loss of such a great man. I loved reading the tributes and was thrilled to hear about his association with the Dead Sea Scrolls. I’ve been to Israel only once and have been enthralled ever since. I look forward to learning more. May his precious memory continue to inspire generations.
Congrats for being able to manage yourself well during the passover. Why do you have panic attacks in the past by the way? Glad to know you overcame them this time.
-Kernie
Hi Kernie, I probably shouldn’t have said panic attacks, although I did have a few of those over a short period many years ago. I meant panic attack in the sense of losing my cool.