Through These Eyes

If I asked you to hold my hand

Would you guide me somewhere safe?

I can't help but trust you

Your very presence assures me

How could you be

A monster

A mean old man

Or scary lady?

Will you tuck me in at night

And scare away all the things under my bed

Read me a story

And give me a kiss

Why would I ever suspect

That something is amiss?

I've been told to respect you

To understand that there is someone

Bigger than me

Smarter than me

Who knows more

Has seen more

And would only protect me.

I see the world

Through new eyes

I could never realize

That there are people

Who would want to hurt me

After all

I am only a child.

After hearing about the shooting in Newtown, CT and reading article upon article that tries to make sense of what happened, it's clear to me that what happened will never make sense. To descend upon a school of children, who are the most vulnerable, weak, and innocent in society, is an act that can never be explained, analyzed, rationalized, "psychologized" or understood. Don't bring proofs or reasoning. Just hug your child, sister, brother, or parent a little bit tighter. Give thanks for everything that is good in your life. And pray that those families who lost a loved one, an innocent child, or mother or sister can eventually find some comfort and happiness.

Strength... Dear Tamar...

Dear Tamar,
We've never met. And up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea who you were. You and your family lived in relative peace and comfort until it was ripped away. I wish I could do something. I wish I had words to comfort you. But there is nothing I can do... and there are precious few words I could say that would give you even a drop of comfort... To lose your parents, and three siblings in one night? Such an unspeakable act should never have happened... It's terrifying to know what baseless hatred can drive people to do.
After watching an interview that you did with an Israeli news show, I am reminded of a quote that has helped me along...

You  never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.

I think these words epitomize you. From the interview, you carried yourself with grace, poise, and promise, for yourself, for your siblings, for your parents who are watching you and for an entire nation that mourns with you. Your words about rebuilding, about not being broken, about being a nation that will live, and survive, are so powerful, and rang with love and hope.

I can't imagine the nightmare you experienced, or the pain you are enduring, but Tamar, from that small glimpse I had of you, I can see your strength and that will take you far. You have shown an evil nation that despite their acts of destruction, they did not destroy. You have shown a struggling nation, a tired people, a worn out, beaten, yet hopeful family, that we can endure, we can persevere, and we will survive.

התנערי מעפר קומי לבשי בגדי תפארתך עמי

Shake off the dust--arise! Don your splendid clothes, My people (Lecha Dodi)

Tamar, you showed me: They may beat us. They may kill us. But we will never succumb. We will wear our royal clothes, and we will arise. Am Yisrael Chai. Klal Yisroel will survive.

מכל לבי,

Rachelli Dreyfuss