A lot has happened since that post. More grandchildren, David and Aliza finding their direction into the future. A few years ago, Elie moved out of Artillery to a different unit and has been called in several times.
And today, David went back in. In to a war the likes of which we have never seen. And so I'm back. Back where it never occurred to me to come. I've enjoyed the quiet - I have to admit. And many of you have joined me on Facebook or know me in real life. Life went on...until this past Shabbat, when life stopped. Elie was called in. Yaakov...Shmuli...Chaim...my babies, one and all.
I don't know how long I'll be here - I once wore the mantle of being a soldier's mother easily, today, not so much. I will keep these past five years to myself. But I'm back because on October 7th, Israel experienced its own 9/11. If that insults you in any way, please know that 900 Israeli lives from a country of 10 million is roughly equivalent to 29,790 American lives. (UPDATE: the number would climb to 1,500 and then settle around 1200).
Jam that into a country the size of New Jersey. We all know someone who was killed or kidnapped. Or we know their mother. Their brother. Their father. Their sister. Their neighbor.
So for this post and my return, I'll end with a moment. Different than all the other times I brought a son to the army. This time, I drove him to a bus station in Jerusalem. From there, he was picked up by a friend to travel together to their "base".
He's not a boy on the edge of being a man. He's 27 years old, a first responder, trained medic. He goes with his own pistol and will be given a rifle.
I don't know anything else. My sons are again soldiers.
Elie and Yakov are married, fathers. They leave behind their wives and children to fight this war. David learns in university and was just getting ready to begin another year of studies.
When I closed the blog, I thought there was nothing that could get me to open it again. But then again, I could never have imagined the barbarity of the attack waged against us. They attacked our children, our babies, our elderly.
I don't believe, for a moment, that Gaza has any idea of what they have unleashed against them. But I'm back - at least for now, because I want to share what's happening and how it affects Israel and my family.
I read your blog in the calm days. When I heard the news, I thought of you, and I wondered (and worried) about your family. Continued prayers for you and yours are on the way from Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteThank you and welcome back. I don't know how long I'll stay. I have to tell you, I've enjoyed the last few years away. So much has happened in my family. Elie and Shmuli both married wonderful young women. They've built and are building beautiful families.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember those days as calm...but yes, compared to these days, I guess they were. Thank you for your prayers - I'll take all you can send. Mississippi sounds wonderful. Thank you for your kind words.
I came across your blog years ago. Found it quite informative from the aspect of an American looking into the situation of the region. Our media is quite bias.
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with you all. The world is watching. And this time, they are not against Israel.
Yes, mostly, we feel the support and yet, in the distance, we feel the hatred catching up. The anti-Israel demonstrations, Jews being attacked. It's terrifying outside Israel and for the first time in decades, terrifying here as well. Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated.
DeleteIt feels so wrong to write that I am 'glad' that you are back, writing on this blog. But in a way, I am. Glad that you are writing, yes. Glad of why: Never. I can't imagine the horror. I only have friends in the reserves now being called up once again to defend the country, the people, the innocent civilians. I looked for your posts, your writing, last weekend. I am looking through lists of names, hoping my friends aren't on them. I can't imagine what you must be feeling, with your children being called up. All the best. I am praying for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I never ever never thought I'd be back. I can honestly say that nothing in 5 years pulled me back. It was a huge part of my life, an incredible outlet for more than 11 years and I was shocked how little I missed it. And then this happened and somehow there was no doubt left. I don't know if I'll stick with it or not but for now, I'm here. Thanks for taking this journey with me. We'll get through it together.
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