#12 Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

The Waiting, by Dr. Shalom Augenbaum

Poem originally published in the FJJ and Yated, both dated 2/25/22.

The intimate restaurant ambiance, Warms me from the cold, A waiter smiles and beckons, “It’s your turn to be seated,” I’m told. With a knowing look, he asks, “So, will it be just you?” “I’m waiting,” is my reply, As he directs me to a table set for two. The surroundings are different, The menu, though, seems worn. Curious, I ask the waiter, “It’s brand-new,” says he, with a touch of scorn. So, longingly I stare, Across at the unoccupied space, An empty wooden chair, Waiting for a human face. While the pairs around me chatter, Conversing to and fro, With myself, I sit and wait, For whom, I do not know. The sun begins to set, As the day gives way to night, Tables being cleared, People finishing their last bite. Where have you gone, My once attentive waiter, You’d visit all the time, Now, there are new customers to cater. Across from me, untouched- silverware and plate, And I remain where I began, Left to hope and wait. They say it’s the waiting that’s the hardest part, But for me the not knowing, Is what really breaks my heart. I take my leave and wonder, Perhaps it’s simply fate, That my existence in this world, Will always be to wait?

*Dedicated to all those still waiting, wherever you are. The parts of yourself, the emotions and feelings you keep so well hidden from the public eye, for what it’s worth, please know you’re never far from our minds and hearts… SA

When I originally read the previous poem, I knew I had to include it in this group. It is so well written and, oh, so true! The waiting and the not knowing when Mr. Right will come is extremely difficult.

This past summer, I was at my neighbor’s wedding, and my neighbor, the kallah, was B"H getting married at age 18, in her seminary year. I was shmoozing with the kallah’s mother, who told me the following. “You know, it’s such a simcha, but at the same time, my daughter is so young; she’s 18! She doesn’t fully appreciate that she’s getting married. I, on the other hand, had it hard with shidduchim. I got married later. And I knocked on every door, I cried, I davened at every kever!! And when I got married, you know what a simcha it was?! I wasn’t just getting married; I was GETTING MARRIED!

I appreciated it so much more; it had so much more meaning! On the other hand, my daughter was telling me, ‘Ma, I’m so young! All my friends are in seminary, and I’m getting married?!’ B"H, she's so young, but she doesn’t fully appreciate it!” And she continued, “You’ll see Shira, when you find the right one, what a simcha it will be! You won’t just be getting a chosson; you’ll be getting a GEM of a chosson! And you’ll appreciate the fact that you’re finally getting married, so much more so than a girl who is getting married at age 20!”

I got a lot of chizzuk from this incident, and I think this story can apply to every single who is waiting for Mr. Right to appear. Seeing all your friends, relatives, co-workers, etc., who are your age move on with life is very painful; waiting is one of the hardest parts of this challenge. Nevertheless, just remember that Good Things Come To Those Who Wait! Although it is hard, just remember that one day, you’ll be past this.

A few months back, I heard a really nice thought on this topic by Rabbi Elazar Meisels. He said, “Sometimes Hashem puts us in a position, and we’re in this position & don’t understand, ‘Why is Hashem making me wait? Why is He doing this to me?’ Maybe the reason is that Hashem wants to hear you really daven. Why? So that you don’t just get a chosson, but you get the Best chosson, who will be the kindest, most wonderful husband for you! Hashem is giving you the opportunity to get something even better than what your friend got! So don’t fight back; Hashem has something even better for you in store!”