Last week many of the women gathered for a pool party in the evening to wish Tamar (the woman leaving--not her real name) well and sent her on her way with ברכות (blessings). At this event I was talking to one of the other women about the event that Adam and Gavi had attended that same day: 221 Anglo Olim arriving on the first of 2 summer charter flights with Nefesh B'Nefesh. Gavi had been invited to go and be a part of the big ceremony, so Adam took him. 

I was telling my friend about how amazing an event it was, and how I couldn't fathom how different my life would be now if we had waited to come on a charter flight this August. 

Her response was: "You wouldn't have met Tamar!"

That in and of itself was enough to cause me pause because Tamar was one of my first friends in Israel and I happily consider her one of my closest. But the comment made me think harder about the events and choices that led us here. To this very place. At this very time.

I can tell you: last summer, I was low. I was angry. I was questioning. But now, as I sit at a birthday dinner put together by my friends (real Israeli friends after only 8 months), get up and go to work (a real full time English speaking paying job after only 6 months), or most importantly listen to my beautiful happy children speak the language without effort to their friends, I am confident I know what the trials and tribulations of this past year were for. If we had waited, we may not have even made Aliyah, we certainly wouldn't be at Retamim. I couldn't imagine my life here any other way than it is and I thank Hashem everyday for allowing me this journey. Other olim, even born Israelis, marvel at the success we have found in such a short time here. We have good jobs, a community, a home, and even friends, in only 8 short months.

I believe with all my heart that last spring/ summer we hit our proverbial rock bottom and the only place to go was up. We went up. We made Aliyah.