"She Gives Me Religion"

I absolutely hated Hebrew School growing up. Sometime, early in my primary school years, my best friend Marty and I (two out of the 3.5 Jews in our grade in Medford) were separated in Hebrew school because of our hijinx. From that point on, each week, twice a week, I would do my best to get out of going to Hebrew School. It rarely worked. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, we had our confirmation class trip to the Holy Land. I didn't want to go...why? Because I hated Hebrew School. The only reason that I went was because Marty's parents were forcing him to go and I felt horrible leaving him to deal with those in our Hebrew School class. I went, and it was then I found religion for the first time. That lasted for about two years until my high school sweetheart exposed me to the beautiful world of agnosticism. This lasted (and still does to some extent) until Myla came around.

My alarm went off at 6am today. I hopped in the shower. When I got out, I looked in the bedroom and noticed Lindsey was nowhere to be found. I figured that she went in to Myla because she was coughing, but Myla was sleeping soundly. I came downstairs to my coffee made, my lunch made, and my breakfast in the process of being made. This was an amazing way to start the school year. My hero wife, Lindsey, gives me religion.

I was carrying around anxiety all day today. Myla's sweat test was Friday. This is a diagnostic test for Cystic Fibrosis; a life shortening disease that creates lifelong symptoms, the need for intensive medical intervention, and an average lifespan of about 3o years. The typical turn around time for these tests is 24 hours. Our test was on a Friday before Labor Day weekend. So we received our results today. Myla was negative and all of her blood work came back normal. I thanked G-d. I thanked G-d multiple times. Prior to thanking G-d, I prayed to G-d. Others, with their kindness and sincerity, prayed to G-d for Myla as well, and even others sent positive thoughts and wishes our way. The amazing support of our family and friends gives me religion.

I came home after my long day at two jobs to a loving wife and a smiling, singing baby. See http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/scott.a.roth if you can...and see my singing baby. We fed Myla, kept her upright, gave her the prisolec, lasix, digoxin, and Zantac, and then we put her to bed. That is what she is doing as I write this entry. Myla gives me religion.