How can I?

There are so many places I would love to take my children this summer...The ocean, a public swimming pool, a fun water hike,an amusement park....

But how can I allow for my little ones to squeal in joy and delight when my other children are in very serious danger, fighting for their own existence, as well as ours? How can I go on vacation-like outings when my beautiful boys and girls in uniform are getting ambushed, seriously injured and killed? When rockets and missiles are constantly being targeted at us , with the goal of killing us all? How terrifying would it be if I were to take my little ones to the ocean or the swimming pool and a siren were to go off while we were in the water? At least at home, I know they're safely tucked away in their beds as the siren sounds.

And what about those evil terror tunnels? Hamas had been planning a surprise attack where 200 fighters would have been dispatched through the dozens of tunnels that they had dug under the border from Gaza to Israel. The goal was to seize kibbutzim and other communities while killing and kidnapping Israeli civilians. In total, thousands of Hamas terrorists would have been swarming across Israel, wearing IDF uniforms, which would have further complicated an Israeli response. So now we know this. And that is why we must finish the very dirty job that we started. And at the same time, we need to continue living while still remaining alert and cautious about whom and what surrounds us at at every given minute.

In this excruciating summer heat, how much would I love to take my little ones to the ocean and watch them shriek with joy and delight as the cool waves splash against their beautiful sun-kissed faces? But how can I, when my beautiful boys and girls in uniform are outdoors on extremely dangerous territory, with no respite from the unbearable scorching sun? These young heroes don't even know if they'll ever return home again. Or if they'll ever get to hug and kiss their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers again.

I hate that our enemies have pushed us into this corner...I hate that the children and families in my country are being cheated from a fun and enjoyable summer. I hate that my holy children in uniform are faced with insane moral dilemmas every single minute of every single day, while their peers outside of Israel are partying it up at coffee shops, bars and outdoor fun.

I'm sorry,  my sweet and beautiful children , but we're going to have to lay low this summer. I look forward to the day that I don't have to hesitate or worry about taking you out for a day of fun.

With Love,
Cigal