I decided to choose the half full glass. All those good people who wrote to me and cared, I will choose them.
I started writing this blog because I wanted to improve my English, over the years I discovered wonderful people , it was never really easy here and always in difficult times a few kind words were so much to get through these times
I've always felt like I'm living a double life, on the one hand the everyday life of the grandchildren, the garden, the food, like everywhere else in the world, and on the other hand, the everyday that there's always a danger hovering over our heads, a danger that we're aware of for part of the time and for the other part we live in denial, because it's impossible otherwise
On the seventh of October our lives changed. Something terrible happened. I felt that I was not able to mediate it to the blogland world. At first we were the victim that was easy to sympathize with, but I immediately knew that when we started fighting for our lives here it would change, and indeed it did. The media loves the pornography of disasters. People are affected by this and form opinions. It's hard to argue with opinions, no one has yet changed their mind because of an argument, and I decided to give up. The forces should be kept for survival here This country is small, the number of inhabitants here is almost the same as that of London, a little more, there is no one who does not know at least one prisoner in Gaza, people who were murdered on the seventh of October, children who were left orphans, children and women who returned from captivity, soldiers who were killed, and those who are refugees in their own country here because Rockets are still fired at their houses every day.
Life here is unlike anything you know, even the dramatic things that used to be told about in the news have become routine. I think if I go back to writing, it will be to tell about these things. And maybe not. I do not know yet.
I am glad that you are blogging again. Whatever everyone thinks about the situation we should know what it is like for those of you living through it all.
ReplyDeleteJaycee, You are very right, things here are so dynamic that it is impossible to know which opinions will emerge here. I will try to continue.
DeleteIt is good for people living in relatively peaceful counties to read what it is like to live in Israel during such frightening times. May I ask a question (which is not meant as any criticism) - do you think it would ever be possible for Jewish and Palestinian Israelis to form a national government of Israel?
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I try not to engage in political issues here, I don't know what will happen or what is really possible. In our life here we live with Palestinian Arabs, they are in the government and live among us, beyond that I don't know anything and I won't write about it.
DeleteI am glad to read this and support you and the State of Israel. Seeing daily examples here in the West of the advance of the deadly mind virus of Islamist 'thought' by ignorant fools the need for the State of Israel has never been more evident... I hope there are wiser people than me with ideas of how to create peace, because I can't see any ideas that hold any true hope in them. The idea that Israel could feel safe with a 2 state solution after what has happened seems for the birds!! But by goodness I hope there will be a true, safe peace for all. Best wishes Caroline
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I try to write about my everyday life here, of course I have opinions but I will express them elsewhere. We all want peace and quiet in our lives and I hope that one day it will come. Thank you for your support.
DeleteI'm glad to see you back, Yael.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely wonderful to hear from you again!!
ReplyDeleteBecause I understand your wanting to avoid
controversial subjects I will just say I still pray daily that all's well with you. Where I live we have recently had gorgeous weather,I hope it's nice where you are,too.Our
vegetation is at it's peak.
I imagine your garden is lovely, Mary
Thank you Mary, you can always write anything you want, I'm sure these are always positive things in your kind way.
DeleteIt's a heat wave here, but we spend most of the time with the air conditioners at home and that's fine. The garden is green and happy because of the amount of water it receives in irrigation every morning.
It makes my heart so happy that you are back. Brave beautiful authentic Yael. Tho you were gone for a bit, my prayers continue for Israel. Your voice is much needed for the realities of today. I fully understand your heart. Be well, at peace (if that is possible) and happy too.
ReplyDeleteDear Frances, you have been a good friend for several years. I imagine you are after your son's wedding in Slovenia, and I'm sure you had a wonderful event. I wish you many more happy events.
ReplyDeleteThat was another Frances, but yes, we had a wonderful time in Slovenia in spite of the too hot for me weather! It all went very well and it was worth all the worry beforehand! So glad to see you back writing again.I clicked on you more in hope that expectation and there you were!
DeleteRe gardens...we are plagued with slugs this year..something to do with the weather earlier in the year I believe. They come out on damp nights and I could barely walk on the lawn the other night without treading on them. They have eaten all my bean plants but one, and the dahlias have taken a beating too.
I'm glad to see you here Frances.
DeleteYou are brave. Sharing what you go through on a daily basis raises awareness of what your country is going through. I am touched by what you share. Many prayers for you, your family … and the whole world, for peace.
ReplyDeleteI never feel brave. I write sometimes because I have a desire to share. There are many moments of anxiety and fear here, and I want to tell about that as well. Thank you anonymously for the prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to see you back, Yael. As ever, my fond wish and hope is for your safety.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanne, nice to see you here too. Your comment went to spam and I saved it just now...
DeleteDear Yael. I recently wanted to write about that disgusting graffiti on the small monument to Anne Frank in Amsterdam, but I simply despaired. It seems as if the level to which people will descend knows no bounds. I'm afraid that most of the young people that one sees with banners on the streets have no real understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will continue to tell the world how life is in Israel, and how it has been for so long. Cro xx
am, I'm glad our paths crossed here in blogland, you are an inspiring woman and I thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteCro, You have been a loyal friend for so many years and you have always understood the situation as it is and you have not been influenced by false information like many others, I will continue to write and tell although it seems to me that it is sometimes difficult to convey in words what is really happening here.
ReplyDeleteThe terrible, the unthinkable has become the norm for you. I wish you could see an end to it. Please keep on writing about your life. I think of you and your family often .
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, it takes a lot of optimism here to hope for good soon, and I will indeed try to believe it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're back, Yael! It is important for you to be able to express your voice, and important for the rest of us to listen openly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve, you are one of those who know how to listen without judging, and I thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteI care.
ReplyDeleteI know you care, and it's good to know there are people like you :)
DeletePlease, look after yourself, Yael. xx
ReplyDeleteBea,As much as it depends on me, I try very hard. Sometimes it's just a matter of luck or fate.
DeleteI am so glad you to hear from you again.I try to imagine how life must be for you. Please continue to tell ist about it, because the voices from the other side are getting louder and louder.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
Hilde, I'm glad to see you here too. I already understood that it is impossible to beat the propaganda of the opposing side. time will tell.
ReplyDeleteMy comment disappeared , do not know why . Sorry about it. Did I write something inconvenient ?. I apologize if, do not want to offend anybody.
ReplyDeleteBirgit Meyerbaum
Even in peaceful times, I in chutz la'aretz was scared for my family and friends in Israel. But nobody wrote with detailed information, presumably to protect us in Australia from fear.
ReplyDeleteBut my son died in Israel this year, and 3 of my nephews are in the army so fear is inevitable. Your posts are therefore essential.. and I hope they comfort you as well.
Be safe
Hels
Art and Architecture, mainly
Dear Hels, I think of you often. So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt's important we tell our stories, everybody. I'm glad you're doing that.
ReplyDeletePixie, I'm glad to see you here, I'm trying to find the balance between the personal and the general big story that's happening here, I'll get back to writing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYael, I'm glad you decided to blog again. Still praying for the safe return of all the hostages. Twelve American citizens are still being held as hostages by Hamas.
ReplyDeletejJack, We all hope for the return of the 120 abductees who are still there.
DeleteDear Yael, I am glad that you are writing again. My feelings are with you. And I think it is good to find one's voice again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Britta. I still can't find the words, it will come, I believe.
ReplyDeleteHi Yael, what language did you speak before you learned English? Without
ReplyDeletebeing specific there are
international things
happening that bode very
well for you.Have a lovely
week ,-Mary
Hello Mary, our language here is Hebrew, and indeed the world is full of surprises these days.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back Yael. A few years back my husband and I did a DNA test through ancestry, com. It was very interesting in the fact that even though he is only 33%Jewish, most of his matches were Jewish. Conversely, I am 6% Māori, and the majority of my matches were Māori! It seems some ethnicities are more interested than others in discovering their roots, although Jews obviously have a different reason.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what we have discovered through this method, but it's probably like everything now and open to dangerous intent. I take solace in the fact that we're old, and I don't care. Wishing you well Yael from Australia and Kia Kaha as my kiwi family would say.
Judy, I'm back but still can't find the words. I hope it happens soon. I understand your feeling that being a Jew today is sometimes not so comfortable, who would have believed that those days would return.
ReplyDeleteYou have wonderful exotic roots, to me it is very interesting.
I thank you for your comment and concern.
Dear Yael, I am delighted to see you back and will wait to read whatever and whenever you feel like writing.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Kathy,Thank you. I'm waiting to find the right words for me. it will arrive.
ReplyDeleteHi Yael, It is good to hear from you. The world is changing, not in a good way. These are disturbing times. It is important to share what you are see, feel, experience. Too many times people hear one side of a story and never get a chance to hear the other side. Can’t make good judgements based on only hearing half a view.
ReplyDeleteYour resilience and choice to focus on the positive, despite the immense challenges you face, are truly inspiring. Your blog has connected you with wonderful people and provided solace during tough times. Writing about your reality—navigating everyday joys alongside significant dangers—can offer profound insight into your unique experience. Whatever you choose to share, your words have the power to touch and educate many.
ReplyDeleteRead my new blog post.