How it Feels to be Me Today (aka You may have spaced your kids too far apart when you can't even take an airplane to Europe and then swim across the Mediterranean to get the teen, because you wonder who would watch your toddler while your husband is at work.) | Do Try This at Home: How it Feels to be Me Today (aka You may have spaced your kids too far apart when you can't even take an airplane to Europe and then swim across the Mediterranean to get the teen, because you wonder who would watch your toddler while your husband is at work.)

Monday, July 28, 2014

How it Feels to be Me Today (aka You may have spaced your kids too far apart when you can't even take an airplane to Europe and then swim across the Mediterranean to get the teen, because you wonder who would watch your toddler while your husband is at work.)

My boy got back from Israel last night, and I am happy.



This is not a political blog. I try and make it a place to come and laugh at life's mysteries, not bemoan them, and to whistle in the dark if nothing else.  But I can only be flippant 99% of the time.

My boy was in Israel with the missiles, and he was there when the airport shut down, and he was there without me.

And though my son flew home, one of the counselors was called to fight.  While I feel relief, other mothers are consumed with worry.



I stand with Israel and I truly, honestly believe that Israel does it's very, very best to do right by its people despite the fact that there will be times when politics get in the way of a simple yes/no, right/wrong answer.

I don't believe that Hamas keeps the best interest of its people in mind.

That said, I risked the nonpolitical, humorous nature of my blog to tell you this: 
  
Children's lives matter more to me than who started fighting first.  Our children and their children are dying.  To quote Leadbelly, "We're in the same boat brother". We can't stop Jewish children from dying without trying to bail out the boat.

I am heartbroken for every baby all the world over who has to suffer for any reason, but particularly for these children. 
  

Still, I have my boy back, so we celebrate. 



And celebrate we did, with Mexican food and Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pepper ice cream. It was pure joy.  With caffeine.




But at the same time I cried.  I cried all day long.  I cried for the babies, the babies on both sides, who happened to be born in conflict, who will be staying in a country at war, whose earliest memories will be of hiding and fear rather than play dough and story time.  And I don't really know what to do with that part, except to write this.

So, here's my view in a nutshell:  

Israel = good.  

Babies = good.  

Fighting = bad.  

Hah!  I found my flippant side again.  

May it last.

17 comments:

MarkD60 said...

I totally agree with you. I get so upset with my pro-Hamas friends on Facebook. I mean really upset.

Glad your son got home safe.

Renee from A Baker's Dozen said...

Well said, Jill!

Jill said...

Thank you Mark and thank you Renee. It is SO GREAT to have him home.

Bruce Johnson said...

Sadly, it seems like Hamas' conclusion is always to launch more rockets. I can understand the repressed and desperate mindset, but there comes a tipping point where Hamas is doing more harm than good for its people.

The Ceol Mors said...

So glad the J man is home safely! I find this all so hard. I LOVE Israel and I love the Palestinian people too. I am not a fan of Hamas- or any extremist group no matter what flag they wave. I want the Palestinians to have a home but I want Israel to be safe from harm. I watch the news and I cry for the civilians in Palestine who are dying, and the Israelis too and all I can do is pray for peace. Pray for peace and that every mother, no matter where they live can be thankful for their children's safety. :(

Jill said...

I don't understand any of it Bruce and Cid, and I don't pretend to. I just wish that things could be different, that every baby could be born well fed and cherished, loved, and safe, that no mother had to worry endlessly about very real dangers. :-(

I believe Israel not only has the right to protect itself, but has to protect itself. I believe Israel has tried so hard, so hard, to be fair. And yet I'm sad for the the children on both sides. It is not their fault that Hamas decides whatever it decides.

a said...

How scary! I'm glad your son is home with you. My heart is breaking for Israel and all the innocent families caught in the middle. Babies good; fighting bad.

Becca said...

So happy that your son is home safely!
Dr. Pepper ice cream? I must try that. At home, of course. ;)

Lara Neves said...

"Children's lives matter more to me than who started fighting first."

Yep.

And Dr. Pepper ice cream? I want some!

Jill said...

Thank you Melissa and Becca and Lara! And Becca & Lara, I will link you to the ice cream recipe via FB!!!!! :-)

Beth said...

So glad to read this, you have been on my mind often even though we are away! And if you ever need to leave the baby to swim across the ocean, you can callus, she loves Gregg!

Andrea said...

Yes to all of what you said. I'm so glad your son is home safely. Israel is a dream destination of mine. My heart breaks at all of the turmoil and I wish for an end to it as soon as possible. And for peace. So much peace. Thank you for sharing.

Tracy said...

So happy your son is back home safe.
It breaks my heart that so many and born into war, and we were just lucky enough to be born where we are.

Jill said...

Beth - I knew I could count on you! :-)

Thank you Andrea.

And thank you Tracy.

Anonymous said...

Rejoicing with you for your son's return!

Jill said...

Thank you Bucalily!

Jazmine Lopez said...

I am so happy that you're son is home safely. Thank you for reminding me of what to be thankful for this year and what to pray for. Beautiful post Jill.

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...