Sometimes as parents we do truly wacky things. This past Sunday we spent the day in Busch Gardens as per Mushky's request before she headed off to school in Coral Springs, Florida. Normally a Busch Gardens day translates into leftovers for dinner - of which we had plenty from Shabbat. But not this day. Realizing it would be some time before Mushky got a meal cooked by her mom, I asked her what she would like to eat for dinner. She requested grilled shnitzel and I agreed. It felt almost crazy to come home from a day in the sun and start cooking dinner when I had perfectly good food in the fridge..but this is what we do for our kids. We returned from our day out and I got to work on those grilled shnitzel wraps! (Recipe at the bottom)
It has surely been a few strange days as we prepared to send Mushky off to school. While getting Mushky ready to embark on her new adventure, I had ample opportunity to revisit my own journey off to school. It's so strange...23 years later and so much has remained the same - while at the same time she goes off to school with luxuries I couldn't even dream up.
So as I helped Mushky pack I watched her iPhone, iPod and iPod touch get loaded into her bag. Couldn't help but let her know that I traveled with just a walk man - lol! At some point I mentioned that she is lucky because she can FaceTime us but that I didn't have that option - and she replied with "oh, you only had Skype" Hahaha! If only I had Skype! I look back at my 14 year old self and I still can see the tears at leaving home, still can feel the uneasiness as I took a bus to Montreal without knowing a soul. I can still remember the moment I walked into my aunt and uncle's house (thank you Berel and Breindy for three great years with your family!) and eating and then going to my new school for the first time.
I have spent so much time wondering how Mushky will adjust. Wondering how she will navigate an airport all on her own. How she will grow up with out her parents standing right by her side..and then I remember...I remember that I did ALL of that! Sometimes I even wonder how I managed to do the things I did all on my own - but knowing I did tells me that Mushky will do the same, albeit with the help of a cellphone, Uber and who knows what else.
So as I get ready to hear about her first day of school, I remind myself that this too will be ok and that soon enough I will be asking her what she wants for dinner on her first visit back!! Good luck Mushky! I know you will make us all proud!
Grilled Shnitzel Wraps
Chicken breast strips
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt
Black pepper
Garlic
Paprika
Oregano
Tortilla wraps
Sliced avocado
Coleslaw
Chopped lettuce
Season chicken breast with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and oregano. Mix well. Heat grill to approximately 450. Grill for about 4 minutes on each side.
Toast tortillas. Fill center with sliced up chicken, cole slaw, lettuce and avocado. (Some of us add ketchup and mayo.) Roll up and enjoy!
