Battling the horrors of the war. Living in terror, with the security of pre-Oct. 7th long gone. Loss of loved ones, loss of home. Trauma lurking at every corner. Can a human being live through this and remain sane?
And what if the ability to meet the challenge is already depleted to zero due to another battle? A battle with cancer for six long years. Of a monster named Cancer who continues to pop up at different parts of the body, mocking her efforts to fight it. Of fear of life coming to an end. Of trying to emotionally support four children who are paralyzed with anxiety, watching their mother become weaker and weaker. Of a sudden divorce as soon as their father had learned of the illness. Of trying to be a Mommy to children who may not have one in the near future.
“I ask myself where to put my head: my precious children? the war? money that never seems to be enough for even the basics?
She has nothing left to fight with. How can she continue the battle? But how can she not?
Alone, she may simply surrender. But she is not alone. Ezer Mizion has been at her side since the beginning in so many different ways. Recently it was the summer camp for cancer patients with their families. When the call came in, she and so many others didn’t hesitate. It would be a time for the family to re-bond enjoying fun and games together, as a unit. It had been so long…It would offer a chance to talk to others engaged in the same battle. A chance to imbue her waning strength with new vitamins.
Never could she have envisioned what was in store for her and so many others. Every day was jam packed with fun activities. The lips that had forgotten how to smile were full of laughter as she and her kids enjoyed the top of the line entertainment. Staff and volunteers were on hand to be sure all went well for each participant. They were pampered like royalty. Finally the responsibilities that weighed so heavily on her frail shoulders were lifted and someone was taking care of her. Oh, how good that felt! Each day held something special like a jeeping trip for all the families, thanks to 180 volunteer jeep owners who gathered from all around the country.
“The Ezer Mizion Summer Camp returned to my children some of the warmth and love that I can’t always give them because of what I’m going through. It enabled me to forget the burden that weighs down on me every single moment of my days. For me, it’s a refueling, simply recharging myself for what is to come.”
