Once you’ve settled on a shade, New York City colorist Aura Friedman, whose clients include everyone from Carolyn Murphy to Caroline Polachek and Sky Ferreira, says the only rule for dyeing your eyebrows is to match warm tones with warm tones, cool with cool. That, and be prepared to return to the salon at least once every four weeks.
Yes, in Israel all able-bodied people (men and women) have to join the army. Our son has always been convinced that he will join the army. He wanted it that way.
I didn’t really know what that meant until the very end because Aviel is our oldest and therefore we had no experience of what would happen if the child joined the army. We asked friends how to prepare, and what to buy our son so that he really has everything. He got a big backpack as a gift from the local community. Everything else, we had to buy ourselves.
We asked friends how to prepare, what to buy our son so that he really has everything. He got a big backpack as a gift from the local community. Everything else, we had to buy ourselves.
Starting with the underpants (which should be without seams), socks (which are particularly good at wicking sweat and moisture to avoid blisters), six t-shirts (in olive green), 6 white t-shirts, quick-drying towel, laundry bag for dirty laundry, a watch with a lid, blister plasters (everyone has blisters for the first few weeks because of the new boots), washing utensils, bed linen and lots of rubber bands for the trousers band, etc.
All of that was just for the summer. Then in autumn, we stocked up for the cold days, including a jacket and warm socks.
When we were in the store looking at and picking out items, I was surprised at the wide selection and prices. We didn’t go for the most expensive one, but we wanted it to serve its purpose. In the end, we came up with a hefty sum. We didn’t ask ourselves: “Does our son really need all this?”, we didn’t want him to lack anything, we didn’t want it to be even more difficult for him than it already was. We have the opportunity and the money to equip our boy as best we can. Many have not been able to do that.
When we were shopping, I thought about the young people who are alone in the country, who are lonely soldiers, who have no one to be there for them, to buy them the things they need, to ask them; what else do you need?; to hug them.There are also enough families in the country who have no means to buy their children the equipment. This is where the army steps in.
They get the NECESSARY from the army. Often it is not enough. There are many organizations and volunteers that help in such cases. We are very grateful that we were able to equip our son without support.
Just before he went to the Army, I got a letter from our health insurance company saying that Aviel would no longer be insured with them during his military service and that the Army would take over his health care.
I was shocked, because it meant for me even more loss of control over my child. He was totally dependent on the army, and I can’t help him there. Does the idea of giving your child to an organization that you don’t really know and don’t trust tug at your heartstrings, too?
The day of the call-up was getting closer and closer, and my stomach was tightening. I did everything I could not to let it show. I didn’t want my son to see that I was worried about him. He was in a happy mood and feverishly looking forward to that day.
The evening before the call-up, we packed his backpack together. He got a list with all the things he needed for the next two weeks. We laid everything out neatly on the bed so as not to forget anything. My son was standing next to me and I could feel his excitement. I could not share it with him, at least not the same kind of excitement.
I smiled at him, but my heart was crying. I knew that this moment would come, but that it would touch me like this, I had not expected. We packed the backpack, it was stuffed full. I added something sweet to it, because I know how much he likes to snack. When the backpack was in front of us like that, so full and ready, I hated it, that it was a part of taking my son from me and at the same time I was grateful that it had so much capacity and that my son could take so many things with him.
Once the time came, it just took my shoes off.
Just before he went to the Army, I got a letter from our health insurance company saying that Aviel would no longer be insured with them during his military service and that the Army would take over his health care.
I was shocked because it meant for me even more loss of control over my child. He was totally dependent on the army, and I can’t help him there. Does the idea of giving your child to an organization that you don’t really know and don’t trust tug at your heartstrings, too?
People were absolutely astounded, at least in between that time that they read the Tweet or headline and when they actually go to the details, that Prada was selling a $150 “paper clip.” In reality, of course, it was a sterling silver money clip shaped like a paper clip (and when you really think about it, all clips really do the same thing). $150 is a lot for a paper clip, but it’s actually not that eye-boggling when you look at other high-end mone
Early in the morning, all of us, seven people, got into our car and we took our son to the pick-up point. There were already many people there, big and small families. All of them had come to say goodbye to their child. Some parents were proud, others laughed and many cried. It is a big step in Israel, part of growing up. The kids don’t know what to expect. Many are scared, many are also excited about the new stage in their lives.
In my child’s face I could read both sides, on the one hand he was tense because he didn’t know what to expect. Suddenly he had to become independent. On the other hand, I saw his excitement that it was finally starting, when he had been waiting for it for years.
We said goodbye, prayed and let him go. One more look over his shoulder, one more wave, and he was gone.
I held on bravely… until Aviel had left. In the car I could no longer hold on and gave free rein to my feelings.
It is never easy when the children grow up, especially when it is your firstborn. What helps us is our faith. We trust there in our heavenly Father that He holds His protective hand over our children and nothing happens without His knowledge. Knowing that gives us support.
Once we got home, I didn’t know what to do with myself and my feelings. After a few days, I finally sat down and began to write. I wrote down everything that moved my mother’s heart all those days.
I want to share our story with you because I know we are not alone in going through difficult moments with our kids. And it doesn’t matter what is happening right now. I want to encourage you to bring all your worries before God and stand by your kids no matter how big they are. They will always be our children.
Here is what was going on inside me in the first few days after we said goodbye to Aviel.
I hear your voice.
I smell your perfume.
I make you coffee even though you’re not here but even if it hurts, I’ll keep it up because I know you’ll come back.
You’ll come back home to us. And I will hear your voice again.
You will come home, and I will smell your perfume on YOU again.
You will come home, and we will have coffee together again. We will talk, laugh, argue, be silent… we will be together again.
Until then… I am waiting for you, thinking of you, praying for you and wishing you strength and courage.
I wish you wisdom and that you do the right thing and say the right thing, and above all learn the right thing. That you will make the best of what is for YOU in those years to come.
But until then… I’ll stay here and wait for you.
I miss you.
Even though you only left just yesterday, you are already really missed here.
I find it difficult to look forward to everyday life. Because at the same moment I must think of you, and I know that you don’t have it easy.
How can I be happy when I know that one of my children is not doing well? How great can my joy be if I cannot share it with all of my children.
I’m baking something delicious; I’m cooking something special; I’m buying something nice for your siblings, and suddenly I have to think of you.
You are my child too, no matter how old you are, no matter what you do now, you are and will always be my CHILD.
Your grandparents are thinking of you, too. Grandma said, ‘It’s almost like we gave the boy away to someone else!’
I really feel like that. But I firmly believe that where you are now, you will grow; you will have to grow up. No one will spare you; no one will wrap you in cotton and love you like your family does.
You have to go through this alone now. You have to be strong and fight your way through this. The next 2 years and 8 months will probably be the hardest of your young years. And then you will come back…so grown up and confident, so manly and strong.
But until then, I’m waiting here, waiting for my phone to ring, so I will look at the screen hoping it’s you, and you will say: ‘Mom, I’m ok, don’t worry. I’ll be home soon; will you cook me something delicious?’
And my mother’s heart will settle down for a few hours. I will kiss your siblings with joy and laughter; Aviel, your big brother is coming home soon!’
We are waiting for you, son.
We are proud of you.
Not because you are defending the country, not that you do what everyone else in this country must do.
No!
We are proud of you for walking your path, for holding your head up high, for growing up and for believing in God.
You’re a good boy, you’re going to be a good man. Yes, I’m very proud of that.
I pray to God that he will keep you safe and bless you in everything you do.
…and until then… I’m here waiting for my phone to ring, so I can hear your voice again.
Amen
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