"Giving Thanks & Holding Hope" on a (not-so-) ordinary Wednesday

artwork by Holly Moxley

I wanted to post something on Chanukah, one of my favorite times to Remember Jerusalem, but with so much "stuff" filling my inbox, flooding my whatsapp account and spinning my brain, I had trouble sorting it all out and turning it into something meaningful. Chanukah is over now. It's an ordinary Wednesday (Has any day been "ordinary" since October 7?) and I'm still sorting...

Enter D.J. Green, my first cousin, who resides in the southwest of this country, living a very different lifestyle from my own. We are connected by blood and by a shared love of the written word. Deb blogs at www.geologistwriter.com where her well-phrased ideas often strike a chord with me - as did her recent post entitled "Giving Thanks & Holding Hope".

Here is my very slightly edited version of what she posted on November 25. (For the original, click here):

"In the few quiet moments this week, I find myself... 

I was going to continue that sentence, but the pen in my hand simply hovered over the page, stopped by I don't know what... And unlike me, I heeded the pause. Finally, I decided - a period after "myself" was the best end to that sentence. In the quiet moments, I find myself. That was the message I needed to write - to me, for me.... Those words, unspooled on the page, feel like a huge gift. And I am grateful for it. I hope I remember to carry it with me every single day. So, I give thanks for so much that is good in my life, and in the world. And I hold hope - because I choose to hope, rather than despair. I hope for more good, for more love, for more peace - in myself, and in the world."

As she often does, Deb ended her post with a question: "Where/how do you find yourself?"

So, after a rather noisy Chanukah - the holiday of thanks and hope; on this quiet, (not-so-)ordinary Wednesday, here is my answer:  

In the quiet moments, I find myself in places I never would have imagined...

...in the kind face of Shoshan Haran,

a woman my age who was among the second group of hostages freed from Hamas captivity. I might never have related to someone who has dedicated her life to helping farmers in Africa. But now I find myself in her heart of gold. For her release, I give thanks; for her to resume her pre-hostage life unscarred, I hold hope.

...in the sweet smile of Abigail Mor Edan

a 4-year-old American-Israeli, who, too, was released from captivity and reunited with her siblings, her aunt, her uncle and grandparents. But not with her parents who were murdered in front of her on October 7. For her extended, loving family, I give thanks. For her emotionally healthy growth and development, I hold hope.

...in the eyes of Arbel Yehud (age 28) and her brother, Dolev (age 35),

whose fourth child was born while he was - and continues to be - held hostage, with no immediate end to his or his sister's captivity in sight. For them, I hold hope that I will soon be able to give thanks. 

...in the name "Dvir ben Leah", a wounded soldier for whom I have no photo and about whom I know nothing - only that he needs my prayers.

...in duffle bags full of supplies for soldiers

and winter clothing for families who have been displaced from their bombed out homes in Sderot. Bags I helped fill with items I helped purchase. My small contribution to a huge community effort.

For being able to participate, I give thanks. For these efforts to no longer be needed, I hold hope. 

And that is where, in the quiet moments, I find myself - in the hostages, injured soldiers and displaced families of my beloved ancestral Homeland. I am holding hope and yes, I am giving thanks. Because on this emotional Chanukah just passed, I was reminded of the Nes Gadol (great miracle) that happened in the Land of PO (my Chanukah post in 2009, when life was simpler); in the Land where an epic war was won 2,000 years ago and where the lights of thanks and hope still shine brightly today. 

Thank you, Deb, for asking. 

P.S. Just as I was about to hit the "publish" button, this article and video popped up on my screen. The song seemed to me to have been written for this post. Even if you don't understand all the lyrics, it's worth reading and viewing. Click HERE.