That’s something — right?

I was getting ready for the Israel Bonds Dinner in Atlanta, when my brother Gami called from Beit Shemesh.

“Eli’s getting ready for mehina,” he said.

“Can’t believe he’s so big, already,” I said, as I looked through the dresses I’d just picked up from the dry-cleaners.

“He’s exercising, bulking up…”

“He has to train before army service?” I asked, and wondered if I should wear the red dress with the pink print, or the pink dress with the red print.

“All his friends — salt of the earth. These kids all want the hardest posts in the army.”

“Salt of the earth,” I agreed and decided on the red silk shift with a pink print.

“So, what are your kids up to this summer?” he asked.

“Oh, the usual…camp… Bnei Akiva in Atlanta…”

“They enjoy that?” Gami said.

“I don’t know,” I said. “They tell the kids they should love Israel. But the kids just want good candy.”

Gami laughed.

“But that’s something — right?” I said, and wondered which shoes in my closet would be the perfect match for my dress.

“Right,” Gami said. “You have to see how far Eli pushes himself…to run…”

“Uh huh,” I agreed. “It must be so hot running. In Israel.”

“Yeah,” Gami said. “But it’s not just him — it’s all his friends. The commitment they have to the army — to the land.”

“Amazing,” I said, and wondered if I should wear the long sheitel or the mid-length one to the dinner.

Gami continued. “His friends who want to serve in elite units — they have to get into top shape…”

I interrupted my brother. “That’s inspiring. Really. But I have to go — can’t be late to the dinner.”

“For Israel Bonds?”

“Uh huh.” I said.

There was a long pause.

“That’s something,” I said finally. “Right?”