Hey folks,
Wow. It's been a long time since we wrote. That's what happens when you settle in, I guess. Purim and Pesach have come and gone, and today we are observing Yom HaZicharon. Israeli Memorial day for all the fallen soldiers. It's funny, because I used to love to go to the Memorial day parade that went down Silsby. all the veterans throwing balls and candy at me, but I never knew one soldier. I guess my grandfather worked in the navy in WWII, and my G-dbrother AJ who is now serving in Iraq (get your butt home soon!) But all of America's recent wars were fought far away in places I will most likely never set foot.
There was a sense here, last night, as the siren waled for a good minuite, and every car that was caught in traffic stopped, so that the driver could stand in silence and listen to the siren, that we were part of a miracle. Now I'm not trying to get political, and say that we fought for every inch of the land that we now are on (which we did), or that we deserve every inch of it that is in our control
(get your own blog and post your own opining). But there is a sense that agaist all odds, this little strip of desert fell back into our hands because of the willingness of sacrifice demonstrated by so many folks with a dream of a home land. Julie's long lost reletives, who we recently reconnected with had this to say , in broken english
" I am fortunate to have the merit to have fought in four wars, in order to begin, build, and maintain the state of Israel." So I'm paraphrasing, but he conveyed the sense of what chutzpah it took to get this crazy country on it's feet surrounded on all sides by countries that didn't want, and continue to not want Israel to exist as a Jewish state. All this flashed through my mind yesterday, as I stood silent listening to the siren.
tomorrow is Yom HaAtzmaut. Independance day. Apparently the whole country smells like bar-b-q. with parades and old Israeli Folk songs
( Shavte Mayim b'sason!) and fireworks and planes flying overhead.
She will be 58. Can't wait.
In the personal new, Julie and I are coming back. May 17th, G-d willing we'll be landing in DC and starting the next phase. What ever that is, we have no idea. We are open to suggestion. Our priority is finding a great community, so keep your eyes and hearts open.
We can't wait to see you all soon.
Love and happy (almost) Independance day from the Holyland
tontivix
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