Black Monday

 At 2 o clock this afternoon, I found myself at Har Herzl. This was actually the first (and I hope last) time I was on Har Herzl for a funeral, though I have been there many times on Yom Hazikaron. The funeral was for two angels, taken way before their time. The reason I felt so connected is because Hallel did a similar path as me, in KY8 and then the Navy. He actually had just finished the navy, and was coming up to Yeshiva this week. He came up last week to bring his stuff, get his buksa, get an Aliyah - and now that Buksa will remain the way it is. Because a terrorist decided his car was the one he was going to shoot. And now him and his brother will remaind in their early 20s forever. 

I didn't know him that well truth be told. I knew who he was, I'm sure we nodded at each other, but nothing more meaningful than that. But I can close my eyes and feel his excitement of finally returning to yeshiva. I can close my eyes and see the waves coming from the middle of the see going towards the coastline that he saw. I was planning on going to KY8 Yeshiva this week for a day in the environment, which I will probably do anyway. So I would have seen him, not known he was anything special, maybe nodded and said hello, and continued on with my day. So my heart goes out to their little brother who is now the only boy, the sisters who had role models, the parents/grandparents/friends and everyone else that knew them better than me. But I was proud to stand there today with Am Yisrael to give one last honor to these young men. 

The main thing I will remember is the piercing wails when the coffins came through. They were piercing, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. 

The bad news kept coming this morning when I was told my friend (Faruk) had lost his mother last night. Terrible, terrible news. 

The plan was for me to go to Har Herzl, and then come back to Modi for the second funeral. But on the way, a car in front of me stopped short, and I wasn't as fast (though I did brake and turn hard left which definitely helped. Baruch Hashem, no one was hurt, and its just monetary damage. A day like today sure gives perspective on that. So I didn't make the second funeral, but I tried, and I will go to shiva this week. 

Roughest day in years.

A Heartbreaking End

 Flying high from our last game, in which we blew a 19-0 lead but held on to win with a defensive stand, we entered the semifinal feeling confident. 

The game started well, with us taking a 6-0 lead into halftime. We promptly gave it up, then scored, then gave it up, and we were down 14-13 with a few minutes left. We made a huge stop to give our offense the ball with a minute left. 

We drove down the field, and ended up having 3rd and 2 at the 4 with about 14 seconds left. You can see what happens here:

Season over, dream over. For this year. We already have some takeaways from next year, including making sure we have some bigger guys for our lines, having 10 set plays in our playbook, not locking into one receiver pre-play etc. 

Looking back at the game is frustrating, because we had many chances. Especially annoying is that the way to beat their defense is so obvious now looking back. It's the TE going out when the rusher goes in, and he is wide open. 

This loss is gonna hurt for some time, I still don't think I have ever won a championship. 

Overall, it was a very fun season, in a very fun league (6 on 6 is an amazing combo of not tackle but also aggressive). I loved our team, I loved making the lineups every week, and I loved the guys on our team who I grew up with but lost touch from over the past few years. Can't wait for next year. And now - its time for softball.  

Tonsils, Adnoids, and a Gymboree

 Yesterday, we had E and H's tonsils and adnoids removed/shaved. Luckily, they remember that day as a fun experience. 

We got there in the morning, and had about an hour to play on the gymboree. It was really fun for them and us. The next thing they remember is going into the operating room with a toy, and then waking up for hugs and snuggles with us. They were then given popsicles and ice cream, and we watched fireman sam. So far, it seems to have worked. Much less snoring when they sleep, and much less tissues and nonstop runny noses. I asked if we could operate on Hat Trick (week 23 btw), but I was told no. 

Hadas came over to say hello, and also brought a booklet of pictures that the kids in Gan made for Eitan while he recovers at home (7! days)

I am so grateful that the surgery went well and that there were no traumatic experiences for them. And Eitan keeps asking if we can goi back to the gymboree.