Here Is Wonder

My grandmother Ruth, who is in her late 90s, has Dementia. For a good while, compounded no-doubt by the lockdown, she has been withdrawn and absent when engaged in conversation. My visits (and virtual calls) have largely been met with silence and, in all honesty, I began to wonder if my grandmother even recognised me anymore. I made my peace with the situation; she was silent but not uncomfortable. If anything she looked stable and content. Then yesterday the most extraordinary thing happened! I video-called my mother, not knowing she was at my grandmother’s home. Grandma Ruth answered the phone and said, “David!”. I was astonished! Then I saw my Grandma turn to my mother and say, “He’s the one training to be a Reform Rabbi, right?” I was flabbergasted! Grandma Ruth, an observant Orthodox Jew, turned back to me, and with a smile said, “Nu, so what do Reform Jews keep?!” My mother smiled; I smiled; my Grandma’s carer smiled! We all laughed! Grandma Ruth had just made