Aliza has a bag of the sticky candies that I hate – they are sugar and color, bad for your teeth, just bad…kids love them.
She gave her father a star last night – “so he would have a good night.”
She gave her brother a bear – “so he wouldn’t be scared at night,” and she gave him two little cherry-shaped candies “so he’d be healthy.” She said the last one with a smile because she knows these candies are not healthy.
Am I reading too much into the bear? Is it normal for a 12-year-old to still be just a bit afraid at night?
For her, it has been a long journey…if you haven’t followed it, you can read about it in these past posts:
- A Child’s Fear (March 23, 2011)
- A Child’s Trauma (April 21, 2011)
- Fogel Murders a Year Later (February 28, 2012)
She’s come a long way indeed. A few days ago, I was late getting home. She told me she wasn’t afraid anymore to be in the house alone. What I liked about her giving her older brother (who towers above me and is even taller than Elie) a candy so he won’t be afraid, is the sense that this is another symbol of healing, of moving beyond.
Thanks so much for writing this blog. I love to read it, and I agree with so much that you say.
Just wondering if you made it into this photo:
http://israelity.com/wp-content//2012/06/Brian-with-bloggers-and-Shimon-Peres-at-conference.jpg
Have a great day! 🙂
Alison
Well, sort of – my right arm made it in…if you look on the right side of the picture – you’ll see a blue sleeve…that be me 🙂
Let’s say – A Soldier’s Mother’s sleeve…