One Year Since Girls Found Safe

By Devorah Shor

One year.
My heart still contracts and a lump forms in my throat when I think of it.
One year.
My arms get goosebumps and my stomach tightens at the chopping sound of a helicopter.
One year.
I take every Tehillim request a bit more seriously. My davening has become more meaningful. Fellow Jews are not just distant cousins but close family.

One year.
One year from the night that we all stayed awake praying.
One year from the night that messages of support poured in from around the world.
One year from the night that people left their homes in the dark to drive hours and join the search.
One year from the morning we awoke with uncertainty.
One year from the morning our prayers intensified.

One year.
One year from the day we heard the words “we found them”.
One year from the day we cried tears of joy and relief.
One year from the day we recognized, once again, that Mi K’amcha Yisrael.
One year from the day we witnessed miracles.
One year from the day we were reunited.
My sister and her friend had come home.

Eight years.
Eight years from the day I experienced the miracle of life.
Eight years from the magical moment when suddenly two became three and new life came into the world.
Eight years from the day my eldest daughter Mushka’le was born.

Ninety Seven.
Ninety Seven years from the passing of the Rebbe Rashab.
Ninety Seven years since the words “איך גיי אין הימל און די כתבים לאז איך אייך” .
Ninety Seven years since we were empowered to be lamplighters.

Ninety Seven, eight, one.
One day.
Beis Nissan.
Each one of us is born with our own unique individual powers and abilities.
Each one of us makes a difference.
Each one of us has a tafkid in this world.
Each one of us is stronger when we have each other.
Each one of us is stronger when we are united.
Each one of us has to do our part.
Each one of us has to seek out our fellow Jews, reach out, and shine the light to guide the way; the way towards Geulah, the way out of the swamp.