The following was written after watching the 12News Broadcast last Friday night:
I was busy with a lot of thoughts from the moment the video ended. To hear children so innocent and young, who have experienced what men and women have not experienced in their entire lives. Smooth and innocent faces, with a young, mischievous, and sweet expression. At such a young age, you think to yourself... how much could they have experience in these short lives? and then they start to speak... they start talking! How much they have experienced, what they have been through, and what they have seen. Unbelievable!!
Snir, Nahar, Niri, Shir, Hili, Yehonatan, Tom, Thomas, Ella, and Adar. These are ten adorable and sweet children! But they're only ten out of so many who have survived through the horrors and seen the terrible reality.
How can a 6-year-old girl already understand and experience anxiety in her flesh? How does a 7-year-old boy know the word "munition" and its meaning? any the word "body"? Or a 7-year-old boy who has to choose which funeral to attend, his best guy-friend's or his best girl-friend's?
Innocent children, with small bodies, with mischievous and young faces, and a soul that has suffered and endured trials, like the soul of an adult who has experienced almost everything. My grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, went through Auschwitz alone! She was there at the age of 12, just like those children. A few years ago, she passed away, and I will never forget the words my grandfather said at her funeral - "My dear wife, your soul was already murdered at the age of 12 in Auschwitz, only your body remained alive, at least it got to be a body that built a home and a family... but without a soul." I hope this is not an analogy that applies to now!
How can we bear so many children left only with a body and with no soul?!
And what about the parent's conscience? That's how they chose to raise your children, that's the place they chose to live in. And was it the right and good thing for them? I feel that these questions will haunt everyone, all of us. Innocence is no longer, and childhood?! Not anymore!
All of this is a mix of thoughts without order and certainly without logic. Being a parent in a war, I didn't plan it, and certainly didn't want it!
I'll finish with a song, with a new hope. And mainly with a prayer for all of us, for those who are alive and those who are not, and in the hope of the safe return of the abducted ones.
"I have a prayer - In a new place, watching animated movies. May every child in the world have parents.
I have a prayer - When the rain stops, let's go see the bloom. That I never see my mom cry.
At night, late, when probably not seen, under the blanket - I talk to God. I hope he listens in the big heavens to the smallest prayers - children's prayers.
I have a prayer - That every dog will always have a place to live. That the teacher will take us to play instead of a lesson.
I have a prayer - That a beautiful wave will come to me during a break. That every wound and injury will heal with a kiss.
At night, late, when probably not seen, under the blanket - I talk to God. I hope he listens in the big heavens to the smallest prayers - children's prayers.
I have a prayer - Instead of wars, we'll all have a party. And someone will explain to me the word 'love.'
I have a prayer."
(Rami Kleinstein and Na'am Haruv.)