Making Sense of the Senseless

(July 2024)

One of the greatest difficulties I, and countless others, faced after, and even during, the events of October 7th 2023 was answering the question, how was this allowed to have ever happened?.

People like you and me, ordinary people living their lives in peace and comfort never, for one moment considering the possibility that you, yes you and your neighbours would suddenly, without warning come under direct attack from terrorists. What happened to us was so far outside the realms of possibility that I still find myself revisiting that state of disbelief I found myself on that terrible day.

Historians my look back on this massacre and say that it was going to happen sooner or later. I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the scale and manner in which the attack took shape. For me, it took the shape of one of my worst nightmares, I am so grateful to have survived.

This small country has suffered greatly and still finds itself the center of attention around the world. I so wish for peace but in all realities, I cannot see that ever happening.

Time To Move On?

I have learned throughout my life that happiness is not a physical place but a state of mind, a state of being that, no matter where you are in the world, can be found from within.

Living in Israel was a conscious choice for me, I believed that one day peace would prevail in that part of the world. I didn’t think I was being naive as I had faith in the politicians of the time that they would find a way to settle cultural differences and live in harmony together.

Twenty-seven years on and things turned out a little differently than I had foreseen. We have been living under rocket fire for way too long now. I never thought it would come to this but my reality is this, is it time to move out of this country and if so where should we move to?

I sense danger in the air, that something is on the verge of happening and it is not good. Is there anywhere safe left in the world? Starting a new life in a different country, at our age, is going to be a challenge and what will my children do?. They are adults and can decide for themselves yet, I wouldn’t want to be separated from them should Israel become too dangerous for them.

I need to ponder this decision in depth. I will not feel safe unless my children are safe too. If we leave we should all leave together. I know that we are stronger together and our strength will see us through any difficulties that we may face. Now is the time to make a decision and now is the time to act.

Building A Better Life

The past is history and future is not set in stone. It is in the present where our future is decided. I wish life was simpler and that I could just live in peace without the burdens that currently weigh me down. I had a taste of such a life and that life had the best flavor ever. 

We had build a life, that’s what people do. Life usually follows a path governed by the nature of being human. We got married, raised our family, build a home and were looking forward into the late summer of our lives. I felt that now that our kids had grown up and left home that all of our hard work has complete.

I had a sense of contentment and a sense the freedom that comes when ones work is done. Of course, I continued to be a father and a husband but I now found myself with time to really enjoy life, and enjoy life we did.

We hosted family from England and were proud to welcome them into our home. Our home was like the crowning glory of our life which we wanted to share with our loved ones. Our home was truly our castle.