Remembering

Hi Jonathan. Tonight began Israel's Memorial Day. It is nothing like the American one. Stores, restaurants, movie theatres close. At 8pm a siren sounds and the entire country stops for a minute. I was on the bus tonight coming home from tutoring and just before eight, the driver stopped in the road and turned the bus off. As the siren began, everyone on the bus stood, people stopped in the street to remember those who lost their lives for the sake of Israel be it as soldiers in the IDF or victims of terrorist attacks. I then went to Kikar Rabin where the municipality was hosting a memorial concert. A wide range of Israeli musicians performed songs to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Between songs, interviews with family members who have lost loved ones were shown. I understood very little, but it was extremely powerful to watch these parents, spouses, and siblings share. I watched one wife talk about her husband who died in June of 1967. Over 40 years ago. Four years of missing you has been difficult... I can't imagine forty.

There is a song by Jo Dee Messina that popped into my head during the ceremony. I doubt if it has ever even been played here in Israel... country music hasn't quite made it this far... but it seems quite appropriate for today.

"Heaven Was Needing a Hero"

I came by today to see you
I had to let you know
If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time
I'd have held you and never let go

It's kept me awake nights, wondering
Lie in the dark, just asking why
I've always been told
You won't be called home
Until it's your time

I guess heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

I remember the last time I saw you
You held your head up proud
I laughed inside
When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd
You're such a part of who I am
Now that part will just be void
No matter how much I need you now
Heaven needed you more

Cause heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is heaven was needing a hero
Like you

Heaven was needing a hero
and that's you

I love you!
Kirsten