06/25/2025
You've been following the news.
You've been watching the dramatic scenes on TV.
You've been reading the firsthand accounts on social media.
But until you live here, there's really no way to know what it's been like for Israelis over the past 12 days.
(So here's one more firsthand account on social media 😊)
First, a huge thanks to the many of you who have reached out to ask about me and my family. Thank God, we’re all safe and sound…but I’d be lying if I said that this war hasn’t taken its toll on every one of us.
So what have the last 12 days been like? Here’s just a sampling of our lives:
Every night, before heading to bed, we made sure all of our essentials were safe in the mamad (safe room).
Computers, phones and chargers, valuables, important documents, medications, clothes and shoes, car keys…
Y’know, in case the rest of the house blows up.
And before going to sleep, we’d joke about how “we’ll see you in a couple of hours!”
We were usually right, with missile warnings at all hours of the day and night.
On the radio, we’ve been hearing commercials for supplemental insurance. Your homeowner’s insurance will only cover so much if your house is hit by a missile, so ACT NOW to make sure all of your belongings are covered.
Public gatherings are forbidden.
Synagogue services are cancelled.
You needed government permission to have a funeral.
Want to get some air and go for a walk?
Don’t go too far…if there’s an attack, where are you going to go?
I spoke to a neighbor who told me that her daily walks consisted of 10 houses in one direction, followed by 10 houses in the other – just to stay close to home.
It really felt like Covid all over again. Children were learning on Zoom, adults working from home.
Bored kids with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
No schedules whatsoever. My older kids at home (22 and 17) would binge-watch TV until 3am…and wake up at 2 the next afternoon. ‘Cuz, why not?
(We had no valid answer to offer.)
Then suddenly?
War’s over. Everything is back to normal.
P**f - just like that.
A blissful full night’s sleep. Kids back at school for just a few more days. Activities, synagogue services, public transportation, entertainment…all business as usual.
(Just because President Trump said so.)
As I wake up to an “old” new reality, I am honestly grateful for the experience.
Grateful for the family time.
Grateful for the shared experiences this nation has endured.
Grateful for the resumption of normalcy.
Grateful that we are still here.
Grateful for the IDF.
Grateful for our homeland.
This war is far from over. As long as there are those plotting our destruction – and there are many – we know it won’t be long before we have to take cover in shelters once again. We’re still fighting a war on several fronts, and still anxiously awaiting the return of 50 hostages.
But for now, I’m just happy that my 12 year old son gets out of the house for 7 hours a day.
Until summer vacation starts on Monday.
