Last night, the longest night of the year in the Eastern Hemisphere, I flew across the Atlantic. Leaving behind my daughter, close friends and Israel, a country that I have loved since I was 15. Once fluent, my Hebrew is clunky and my Midwestern accent is definitely stronger. That place has taken my heart and it is stuck there. Seeing Lia in an IDF uniform-how do I even start? Mostly proud, but also worried, sad that there is an army at all, concerned she’ll be cold. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t plan to give Facebook versions of things on this blog. I’ll tell the truth as I see it.
It is unreal to me that after all these years, 18 years, people are so loving and warm. Make room for me in their busy lives, even though I never plan or let them know in advance and descend at a moments notice. I am an airline’s dream passenger, the impulsive traveler. Friends still store loads of boxes in their basement from when we sold our house, thinking maybe we will need them someday. They are less cynical about why we left, as they now deal with their own aging parents. Every waitress, store keeper, neighbor offered help if Lia needs anything. She is considered a “Lone Soldier”, there without her family. Nothing triggers a response from others like hearing Lone Soldier – “If she needs a hug, a place to go for Shabbat, anything”, I heard over and over. While Lia may or may not take them up on their offers, like in Fiddler on the Roof, “It’s nice to know”.
I wonder what life would have been like if I had had never left Milwaukee at 15, never went to Israel. And I wonder what if we had stayed in Maccabim and raised the kids there? No regrets! the Zen/Facebook version would say, and that’s pretty much true. But misleading our kids for all those years probably weren’t our best parenting moments.
A good friend from my class in Kibbutz Kfar Blum at age 15 was there also during this trip. We were both commenting on how the country is one big time warp. The place is so small, it’s hard to find a spot without a memory attached.
Israelis, like much of the world, see the Midwest as one big flyover. In the early years, when I said I was from Milwaukee, the response was “Golda Meir!”. Now it is “That 70s Show!” Cracks me up every time.
As we enter the stillness of winter, my thoughts will be with my Lone Soldier. Being away will be difficult but I will turn to the Dark Goddess of winter to nurture us both.
So beautiful. Tears running down my cheeks. Praying for the safety of Lia and all the soldiers and for the israel we once knew which now seems to be slipping away…
Slipping away yet still has that inexplicable magic…
Hopefully her military service will be a positive, maturing and enriching experience. I hope she falls in with a nice team which could possibly turn into lifelong friends and a decent placement with an interesting job.
If she ever needs a Herzliya or Eilat mama, don’t hesitate to contact me.
A big sigh and a big hug – and to Lia: Shifshuf kal.
Beautiful and heart warming. I think you’ll both be just fine. ❤
I hope so Ritz!
Thinking of your precious Lia. Ann you are an amazing, wise and strong lady! I look forward to meeting you some day soon. Your life seems so full of discovery, excitement, growth and raw life experiences. You and Greeny should always feel so proud of what you have accomplished and experienced over the years. The world is a better place because of people like you and your children. ❤
You call him Greeny? That’s too funny!!!
I love your comments on my blog and am so happy you are reading!
Some places are simply magical. Once we visit there is no forgetting. Lausanne is such a place for me.
Love you! So beautiful, sincere, and touching.
I’m not worried about Lia figuring out all the ways to get things done in the IDF 🙂 but I still can’t believe she’s a soldier!!!
I’ll give her a hug in May <3