Sad, Proud and Strong

It is a sad week in Israel.

Our collective heart reaches out to embrace the families of Eldad Regev and Udi Goldwasser. They are us. We are they. We weep together.

Beyond the pain and emotionalism, there are deeper issues and lessons to be seen.

The emblems of the lobby to ensure the return of Regev and Goldwasser are two women. Not men - women.

Mikki Goldwasser, the mother of Udi, in her dignity and inner strength, sends the nation a message that none of it's leaders are capable of relaying: Stand tall, be strong, be proud. Live the life that is bequeathed you by our sons. To the Hizballa and all other enemies she sends the message - do not, for a moment, believe that you break us in our sadness. This sadness makes us prouder, unites us, makes us stubborn and strong.

Karnit Goldwasser stands exposed before us all, in her grief. She grieves her husband while accepting and justifying the absoluteness of his willingness and understanding of the duty to serve one's nation and the perception of that duty as a privilege.

Not men, but two women light the way for our leaders and for us all. There is a lesson to be learnt here - mean make war, women mend and lead in peace. Perhaps it would be a good thing o have a larger and more influential female component of leadership in Israeli society and politics?

In other aspects of life in Israel, a similar situation: Private citizens take it upon themselves to create frameworks for supporting our weak. Food kitchens, charities, support groups of all sorts are financed and operated by so many people.

They too show a cynical and corrupt body politic the way. It is only a question of time until we will grow weary of waiting for our politicians to pick up the torch and lead by example. By example they must lead, for there is no other effective alternative type of leadership.

My 2 cents

So here I am, contributing my tw0-cents worth to the morass that is the Internet.

Will there be an original thought in here, one that might give pause, perhaps cause someone to actually do something to change or improve something in our (or their) lives? Maybe, maybe not...

Maybe all one can hope for is a semi-coherent trite nihilism.

But anyhow, here goes :)