Best Story of the Week…October 11

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Susannah Bianchi

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement…7:15 a.m.

From sundown to sundown, one fasts in quiet contemplation, repenting for any wrongdoing committed throughout the year.

I’m on the runner’s track headed for home, when I come upon two boys, perhaps 6 and 7, dressed in identical school uniforms: gray wool slacks, navy blazers, the tails of their white button-downs billowing in the breeze…ties undone, tiny, shiny loafers picking up the early light, strolling in what seems to be serious conversation.

You can just see them tucking in those shirts, like pros, a block away from school.

A woman, I assume is their nanny, is walking up ahead. As I get closer, I see she’s not their nanny at all, but their mom, holding a Torah gently in her hands.

We both, at the same time, look back at the two boys.

“Are they brothers,” I ask with a smile she warmly returns.

“Yes,” she says, “close as can be, and as much as they begged, I didn’t want to keep them out of school to go to Temple, even though they insist on fasting like me and my husband.”

“They look like little men,” I say, still smiling, because they did, the way they walked with such purpose, one listening intently to the other.

“Yes, they are little men,” says the mother, “and hope they will grow to be good men.”

Suddenly the littler one calls out, “Mama, I’m feeling, well, I don’t think I can go all day this hungry. Can we stop and get a muffin please?”

She smiles.

 “Of course we can Ari.”

“They are still only little men,” she then says to me, with what I can only describe as wistful joy.

“Little men, I love so, so much.”

How’s that for a tender tale.

SB

About Susannah Bianchi

I'm just a girl who likes to write slightly on slant. I've had a career in fashion, dabbled in film and to be honest, I don't like talking about myself. Now my posts are another matter so I will let them speak for themselves. My eBooks, A New York Diary, Model Behavior: Friends For Life and Notes From A Working Cat can be found on Amazon.com. Thanks.
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39 Responses to Best Story of the Week…October 11

  1. skinnyuz2b says:
    October 11, 2019 at 6:05 am

    What a sweet story. Most of the credit goes to the way you tell it, Susannah. The little man’s intentions were noble, and that’s what counts.
    My grandson, 5yrs, says he’s going to be an anthropologist and a knight when he grows up. He intends to live with us so he can protect us (while being a knight) since we’ll be so old, ha ha. When the brave knight was asked which room he’ll sleep in, he quickly answered, “With you Nana.”

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Anne Mehrling says:
    October 11, 2019 at 6:18 am

    That was a lovely tale, beautifully recorded.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Vasca says:
    October 11, 2019 at 7:31 am

    Such a gentle, proud mom prepping her little men to become great men. As the mom of four sons who are now 61. 63. 64 and 66…raised them well. They were wonderful little men who became awesome giants. Sigh…I do love me some men!!! Wonderful read, Susannah. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. aFrankAngle says:
    October 11, 2019 at 7:57 am

    Many reasons to smile in this one. 🙂 … including one for the storyteller.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Dale says:
    October 11, 2019 at 10:29 am

    Such a lovely share, Susannah. My husband called our firstborn Little Man. I wonder if deep down, he knew he would never make it to manhood or if he willed it so much to happen. Because, oddly, he didn’t call either of the other two the same…

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. John W. Howell says:
    October 11, 2019 at 1:08 pm

    I felt the love of this mother for her boys through your words, Susannah. So well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. kindredspirit23 says:
    October 17, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    Hm if that was about the story, yes. If that was directed at me, “Most Welcome” is my mannerly way of saying. “You are very welcome. Thank you.”

    Liked by 1 person

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