Deepest Retreat

"All day long, wearing a mask of false bravado
Trying to keep up the smile that hides a tear
But as the sun goes down, I get that empty feeling again
How I wish to God that you were here"
- Player, "Baby Come Back"

Just a quick note to let my blog-friends and readers know that we'll be attending our first Chai Lifeline Shabbaton for bereaved families this weekend. This is the official parents-only version run by the organization itself, as opposed to the informal retreats organized by fellow blogger Glen Holman, which our whole minus-one family have attended twice before.

The past two years when this option was offered to us, we felt we would be utterly unable to deal with the much more intense experience. Whether we are now is still a question - but at least we're willing to try. My hope is that the inevitable pain will be outweighed by the ultimate gain.

A happy and peaceful Shabbos to one and all.

UPDATE, Sunday Afternoon: We're back. The weekend was awesome - in both the modern and traditional sense of that word. I hope to provide more details later this week. Till then, be well, and hug your kids.