My in-laws were the type to show up three days before Yom Tov and start planning everything the next morning

Golda: We like to handle things in a laid-back way, and they always get done. That’s what the last minute is for, right?

Ruchi: I tried so hard to help you be organized in advance. Did you realize how much pressure I would be under at the last minute?

Ruchi

“SO.”Zevi had that glint in his eye, like he was about to spring a surprise. “Guess who booked to fly in for Succos?”

“No way. Your parents?”

He nodded.

“Wow.”

It shouldn’t have really been a surprise. My in-laws have three married couples living here, no children at home, and two of my sisters-in-law were due to give birth around Succos time. But still, a trip to Israel was a big deal. They’d be leaving all the marrieds in America behind, and I’d wondered if they would actually do it.

“I think Mimi really begged them to come,” Zevi said. “She’s so worried about how she’ll manage with Yossi when she has the baby. And with it being right in the middle of the Yom Tov season….”

“Right,” I said, but honestly, I had my babies here, we didn’t have much family around — we coped.

Still, if my in-laws would fly in, I was sure it would be helpful to my siblings-in-law. Both Mimi and Adina had other little ones, small apartments, not much help. Although I’d be around, I had my own family too, and my job — I had a home-based cookies and cakes business that tended to get overwhelming right before Yom Tov.

“It’s really major for my parents. They haven’t come in years,” Zevi said.

I knew that; my husband’s parents were solidly middle class, which meant that they really didn’t have much money to spare. They weren’t the type to fly off to Israel — well, ever, really. I think they’ve been to visit once in the seven years since we got married and have been living here.

“How’s it going to work? Are they planning to host everyone? They’ll rent an apartment? Meals?” I wanted to know.

Zevi shrugged. “Who knows? It’s months away….”

Months? It was already mid-July. I mean, it wasn’t like I needed to know right then and there, but knowing my in-laws, I was apprehensive.

They were the type to show up three days before Yom Tov and start planning everything the next morning.