When Time Stops

 Last night, we had a siren signaling the beginning of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day). At 7:58, I put my ear next to the kids' door, and heard Eitan talking to himself. I decided to take Eitan out of bed, so he could stand with us. 

I explained to him that there was going to be a noise soon, and we should think about people we love. Obviously, at 2 years old, it is too soon to go deeper than that about the siren and our fallen soldiers and terror victims. He wanted to hold my hand on one side, and Shifra's hand on the other. It was very cute.

But I was glad he was awake, I wanted him to be part of the siren, even before he understands what it means. Unless something drastically changes, in 16-18 years, he will be manning the borders himself in the green uniforms, enabling us to live here (Or doing a computer desk job, whatever he feels is right for him). Thanks to the soldiers that died, and also those who lived, we are able to live here. 

There have been a bunch of terror attacks the past few months. Bnei Brak, Beer Sheva, Chadera, Jerusalem, Ariel. I spent all morning watching videos of fallen soldiers or terror victims. Some I really connect to: Nava Applebaum, who went out with her dad hours before her wedding. My brothers, Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali, who will never be forgotten by anyone in Israel during those 18 days of suspense. Roi Klein, who jumped on a grenade to save his friends. Daniel Pomerantz, who shares my name. Avishai Shindler, my friend's brother, who left quite the legacy up in Kiryat Shmona. Avishai Yechezkeli, who protected his toddler during the recent shooting in Bnei Brak. Yanai Vaisman, who was just shopping in a supermarket, whose 1 year old is now a 6 year old girl who doesn't remember him, and whose widow was recently remarried. And so many more..

And, over the past few years, people I knew have joined the list of Israel's fallen heroes. Ari Fuld, who was a real-life hero I am grateful to have known as the director of Camp Achdut. I still remember the passion and love in his voice during a sleepover we had at the camp, when he was telling us about our Soldier Heroes, and how influential that was for a 10 year old that had just made Aliyah, basically straight into a war. And of course, Eli Kay, who was shot near the Kotel on his way to work. Our adopted soldier Shani Weinnman had just married his brother a few weeks before, and we were able to spend the entire Shabbat Sheva Brachot with him, Jen, and his entire family. There were plenty of jokes going around that he would be the next reason for everyone coming to Israel. Only thing is, the jokes became a sad reality when he was gunned down in the Old City a few weeks later.

Tonight, we will celebrate Israel turning 74. Celebration is something even a 2 year old can understand, even if he doesn't understand the cost. And let me tell you -  that 2 year old is excited, singing Israeli songs, and waving his flags every chance he gets. He loves to say Yisrael in his cute Israeli accent. His younger sister also loves to wave the flags.