I don’t believe there is a senior that has not suffered the loss of a loved one, a sibling, a parent, a child, a close friend.
We all know how painful those experiences are and how time may make it a bit easier to cope. But we still miss the sound of their voices, the tender touch, the smile, that we long to see one more time.
One thing that can be said about losing a loved one is that often there is an opportunity to cope with the sad reality. Perhaps an illness or the golden years creeping up and occasionally, the agony of a sudden loss when there was never a chance to say good-bye.
However, even in the case of an unexpected passing, there is the finality of a funeral or memorial to mark the demise and then we know we must start to heal. We can all relate to these experiences.
What I cannot comprehend is the unexpected loss of a loved one and not knowing if they are in fact dead or alive. There remains, at the time of this writing, approximately 120 hostages in Gaza.
Not knowing where, or if, any of them are still with us is unbearable suffering for their families. The two youngest are Ariel and Kfir Bibas who were 4 years and 10 months respectively when captured.
Kfir would have turned one year old in January. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The naysayers will point to the deaths in Gaza of women and children because of Israel attempting to find the hostages and end the vile rule of Hamas in the territory. Of course, we do not know how many of those killed in Gaza in the conflict were cheering and celebrating last Oct. 7.
Hamas started this war and now are crying victim. Israel has been left no alternative. They either move forward or sit back and wait for the next attack where their citizens are raped, beheaded, burned alive or captured.
If Hamas cares so much for the people of Gaza, let them come out from their hiding places in hospitals, schools and private homes and save their own people.
So, on this sad Anniversary of the unprovoked October 7 massacre, it is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, that I extend this prayer:
Our family, the whole house of Israel, who are in distress, or in captivity – may the Omnipresent have mercy on them and take them out from narrowness to expanse and from darkness to light and from oppression to redemption, now, swiftly and soon! Amen. Am Yisrael Chai.
