Welcome home, sarameg. I hope it'll be much homey and welcoming soon.

Happy Birthday, quester!

Yeah, Nilly, what's up in your end? Any of your brothers were called? I hope not.

Happy Birthday quester!

Thanks, Austin.

More than half of my father's family lives in the town where the bombing yesterday killed a citizen (including his crippled aging older brother, who is not able to get to a shelter on time when there's an alarm), so I can't say things are calm and progressing as usual, I'm afraid.

None of my brothers were called to reserve duty yet, but nobody knows right now how these things will continue for the rest of the week, and for who-knows-how-long, so, again, it's not like things are going on as usual.

Today we light the last candle of Hanukkah, and we still wish a happy holiday, but it tastes strangely in my mouth to say the word "happy" now, because all I really wanna say is "peaceful" or "safe" or "could anybody find us a miracle?", but then, I don't wanna spoil the innocent holiday wish, so I just continue saying that.

Shir, how is your sister doing? She's serving near Gaza, right? And for that matter, how are your parents, regarding that?

I am so sorry you and your families and friends are going through this, Nilly and Shir.

Oh, Nilly. I'm sorry. Was it in Netivot?

My sister is fairly busy at the moment. She's telling us not to worry the whole time, but they're being bombed 24/7 (stuff that are not being reported in the news). My parents are somewhat concerned, mostly my mom. She's not feeling too great physically, too, but she's working herself too hard as is.

Both of them are worried about me: there were riots in the neighborhood next to me (Shuafat) last night.

Nilly and Shir, I'm so worried about both of you and your families.

Thanks, Perkins [Edit: and shrift].

Was it in Netivot?

Yup.

stuff that are not being reported in the news

Oy.

Both of them are worried about me

How ironic.

I can't imagine how difficult it may be for parents in these situations. Goodness.

It's just, you know, trying to continue with the daily routine and work, as if nothing happens, when actually so much happens all around. I mean, what else can you do?

I can't imagine how difficult it may be for parents in these situations

You know, it's not that different than usual time over at her camp. It's just that there are more bombs and more actions, but it's not like there was ever peace.

trying to continue with the daily routine and work. I mean, what else can you do?

I know. I'm just not really managing to do a lot on either of these. I wish it didn't feel that bad, every time. It's like... generally being worried. I don't know. Maybe I'm reflecting personal stuff over the whole situation. Probably not.

Oh Nilly and Shir, I don't even know how to begin to say something helpful or comforting. I guess I will just say that I am thinking about you and your families and wishing peace and safety to you all.

it's not that different than usual time over at her camp

Oh, that's totally what I meant - for parents, knowing that their kids are in a risky place like that. One of my brothers was old enough to serve in Lebanon, and the other served in Gaza. I can't imagine what went over my parents during those times, even when they were considered relatively calm.

I'm just not really managing to do a lot on either of these

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Maybe I'm reflecting personal stuff over the whole situation. Probably not.

It's difficult either way. And with all the stuff your family has been going through lately, it can't make things easier, you know?

Lots of hugs. And let me know if you want me to jump on a bus and come to Jerusalem, OK?

[Edit: Thanks, Kristin. That's probably the most important and significant thing that can be done, you know?]