Spoke to Elie…finally

He sounds so tired. So so tired. He’s good. He’s fine. Trying to save his battery by keeping the phone off as much as possible.

“How are you?” I asked him several times.

“Good,” he answered. “Fine,” and “busy.” All one word responses. This is a conversation I need more than him. I know that and yet couldn’t close the phone. I don’t know when I’ll speak to him again, never mind when I’ll see him.

I didn’t ask him about when he thought he might get home; he can’t possibly know.

I didn’t ask him if he was sleeping enough. “I’m fine,” was all he would say.

I told him about the 3-hour ceasefire from our side, “Really?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s to let the people in Gaza go buy food and stuff.”

“Ok,” he responded; clearly too tired to think of anything else.

On the scale of 1-10, this phone call won’t go down as a great conversation to remember, but I talked to him and that has to be enough, more than enough.

“Have you gotten my messages?” I asked.

There was noise in the background; I could hear talking and radio static.

“Ima?” I heard him say and so I repeated my question. Yes, he’s been getting my messages.

“Try to send me a message sometimes, just telling me you are OK. OK?” I asked and in a tired voice, such a tired voice, he agreed that he would.

I wish for my son…safety and health…and sleep.

Behold, the Guardian of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

15 Comments

  1. Baruch Hashem. We are all praying with you that he gets enough rest for now, and that he and all of them come home soon, safe and healthy.
    And that you both find the strength to come through this!

    And I hope that you can feel the waves of support that we are all trying to send to you, and to all the mothers whom you represent, whose feelings you express so eloquently…

  2. I wish for my son…safety and health…and sleep.

    Behold, the Guardian of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

    My prayers and my heart are with you…always.

  3. YAY!!! So delicious, to hear that voice! The best sound in the world! I am very happy for that moment for you. May we celebrate many smachot together, in our sons’ very healthy old age.

  4. Today I found your blog through lgf. I am thousands of miles away, but my thoughts and prayers are always with you, your son and with all those young wonderful Israeli soldiers.
    God keep you all safe.

  5. We will all continue to daven for the safe return of your son and all of the other brave soldiers. You are providing all of us with a tremendous amount of chizuk at a time like this. Chazak Ve’ Ematz

  6. We will all continue to daven for the safe return of your son and all of the other brave soldiers. You are providing all of us with a tremendous amount of chizuk at a time like this. Chazak Ve’ Ematz

  7. I just saw your blog. Wow.
    I have a son and daughter (very young, babies) and I can’t imagine what it must be like to have a son in the army.
    Your son and all his fellow soldiers are in my prayers every day. As you posted, “Hinei lo yanum v’lo yishan, shomer Yisrael” – you’re in good company not getting to sleep!

  8. So glad you got to speak to him…..I’m sure it meant alot to him as well. Keep your head up, and keep on keeping us posted. Your words are a great connection to the other side……..

    Hang in there……

  9. I am sooooooooo happy tht you finally heard from Elie!!
    Though we are far across the ocean, we are davening for him and his fellow soldiers every day.
    Mindy in New York

  10. I feel relief that you heard from him, too.

    Davening, beyond davening, that they should *all* come home hale and hearty and safe and sound.

    Please hold it in your heart and know in your kishkes that the Shomer Yisrael is On. The. Job.

  11. I’m a retired American paratrooper. The motto of the US Army is “This We’ll Defend”. I think that can clearly be applied to the IDF. All my love and respect to your son and his comrades. Fight the good fight!!

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