Food for thought

The Gliksman Family

Well, this is the philosophical post… So after I let you know that we are all OK I will think/talk/write about things that have been coming up in personal correspondence. First and fore most, why are we here? Why did we leave a very good, peaceful and comfortable life in Highland Park…

Maya asked why we came to live in a country that's at war. Hard to explain it to them, not even clear to us... go tell them that this is "our home" these are clichés that they didn't grow up with, we "nursed on them"

There is something about this country that makes you completely committed to it. “You can get the Israeli out of Israel, but you can’t get Israel out of the Israeli” How else can you explain that EVERY 18 year old serves in the army for 3 years, putting their lives on hold? Or that the men serve an average of 30 days a year on reserve duty until they are in their mid forties? Sure everyone complains, but in time of need you have people coming back from abroad to serve with their units…

I spoke to a friend a couple of years ago, an Israeli married to an American woman living in Chicago, he said life in Israel is just too hard and stressful (SO true) I agreed. But then I told him that I believe that if we believe it is important for the state of Israel to exist, than we, Israelis have a commitment/duty to live here. There so many good things about living here. This is SUCH a beautiful spot on earth, people still seem to “care” the news is on the radio every hour on the hour, and people listen. When people get together they discuss the education system, the minister of security and the performance of the commander in chief (and everyone, I mean EVERYONE can do any job better than who ever is in office at the moment J). We know the names of the cabinet members, we have very personal opinions about anything and everything… got to admit it’s never boring.

In times of trouble this whole country pulls together. People are complaining that the administration did not take care of the people living up north who have been in bomb shelters for the past month. However, individuals did step up, everyday there are lists in the paper of people asking to host families who want to get away from the war. Lists of names and numbers and an open invitation to call. I know of people who spent over 2 weeks with families they never met before.

Within 24 hours of last Fridays sirens I got numerous phone calls making sure we were all right, and 4 different invitations to come stay with friends and family (we’re staying put for the time being ).

I am adding this link someone sent me, it really exemplifies how “the army is everyone” in this country… It also shows some beautiful sites from Israel. For those of you who are not local if you catch the picture of the Roman arches (Aquaduq-no idea how to spell it) this is the beach which is practically walking distance from our house… http://www.gamla.org.il/english/news/brothers.htm

I am going to sign off for now… I am sure there will be more on this topic as time passes.. As everyone, I have my opinions on the situation, but they will wait for now. Below is a poem written by a very dear virtual friend. I know her through a Neuroblastma support list she has a way with words… well, I asked her permission to post this… Thank you Carrie.

In spite of the fact that this is a beautiful world it is imperfect and thankfully because it is imperfect beauty can be found even in the most miserable places as i listen to mums remember finding joy and fun in the midst of horror and chaos and abject soul pain little pranks played while there was still health enough to enjoy them how fortunate we are that all goes along in spite of in spite of the fact that i do not know how to be a mum i'm managing in spite of the fact that i feel angry alot of the time about the disease the expectations on me etc etc i was given the job in spite of the fact that there is much to be sad about somehow that makes little things more obviously joyful sorrow seems to be a microscope for beauty somehow queer how the world keeps turning in spite of and sometimes one just wishes it would stop lives are being lost in lebanon in israel i wonder if the world slowed down enough to take it in would it stop in spite of the fact that our loved ones fight so hard to live there are others who hold life lightly and dance on the graves of the ones they kill

Thank you all for checking in on us

Love & Peace,

Ronit