Gemotions

The tight feeling in my chest began to subside. My brother, David, had just finished explaining his decision. He was converting to Judaism. My parents sat stunned, their faces frozen in expressions of disbelief. I, however, found myself nodding slowly.

My grip on the edge of the table softened. I felt a surge of unbidden energy course through my limbs. I finally allowed myself to exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The constant pressure of expectations, of familial ties that had always felt restrictive, seemed to melt away.