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Having faith is often difficult, especially when having to deal with more than one life challenge.

But Ayala and Shimon (not their real names) have more than passed the test, as they continue to make the grade. Ayala and Shimon waited 11 years for each other after having been briefly married to others. Married at 36, they tried unsuccessfully for nine years to have a child. When Ayala was 45 they tried one more time, saying that this would be their last attempt. It was successful and nine months later their beautiful baby boy was born to their great joy and to the delight of their friends and family. At his bris, they gave him a name that reflected the miracle of his birth and their deep gratitude to Hashem.

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Ayala, a kindergarten teacher and child-minder, didn’t have trouble slipping into her maternal role. Today, when most of her friends are grandmothers, their almost five-year-old energetic and precocious son keeps her on her toes.

At the seudat hoda’ah that the couple made after their son’s birth, Ayala’s brother said that it was in the merit of their tremendous faith in Hashem that had wrought this miracle. Their faith was simple and their prayers sincere.

Ayala and Shimon hadn’t been basking long in the joy of their new role as parents when they were once again tested. Shimon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As the illness progressed and limited him, he was forced to give up his job as an accountant.

Did Shimon display any bitterness? None at all. He told Ayala that if this is what has been decreed upon him, he accepts it happily. “And if he’s happy,” she says, “I’m happy.”

Ayala says that she hopes they will overcome all their new obstacles, but she believes that by way of prayers, bitachon and faith, Hashem brings salvation to everyone.

Sometimes it takes a bit longer, and sometimes more than one attempt, but Ayala and Shimon have faith that just as Hashem led them to the chuppah and paved their way to parenthood, He will continue to reward their faith in Him with miracles. After all, finding one’s bashert, having a baby and living each day are all, when all is said and done, miracles.

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