Akablog Beta

The Averbach's are long-time members of my childhood shul in Long Branch, NJ.  Most recently, Dr. and Mrs. Averbach cared for my mother in the last months of her life. I was pretty good friends with Michael, Steve's younger brother. What amazed me is that this really didn't bring the violence "closer to home." I think it would take an actual family member dying to make me more hurt or enraged or angry about this despicable evil.

Note: I apologise for the multiple posts -very long entries don't seem to be supported.

A  PARENT’S WORST NIGHTMARE

Every time a news bulletin comes on the air regarding a new terrorist bombing in Israel we are glued to the TV always hoping against hope that our 37 year old son, Steve and his family are safe and  not involved.  We watch the news as an on going ritual searching  pictures of  one disaster after another for our loved ones not to be there. There is a perpetual state of butterflies that exists within us for this vital, handsome, brave offspring  who has lived in Israel, his chosen homeland, since he was a teenager.  Although the life is difficult, he has managed to live here happily despite the many hardships that he and his countrymen have experienced.

We had arrived home before midnight  on May 17th from a wonderful evening at an awards dinner where my husband David had received a lifetime award for service from his colleagues at the hospital where he works as a surgeon.  Of course, as usual we put on Fox News in order to update what was happening in the world and especially Israel. There it was! Another bus bombing in Jerusalem.  The number 6 bus was hit by a terrorist, dressed as an orthodox Jew, wearing a bomb belt detonated to kill himself  and take with him as many innocent victims as he could.

I searched the rescue scene again hoping that I would not recognize anyone I knew.  A wave of nausea passed over me as I thought I caught a glimpse of  Steve’s arm on a stretcher.   Just a mother’s fear I thought; couldn’t be.  But another sleepless night lay ahead.  Every hour awake wondering if this time I was not imagining this horrible happening.

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• #1 Comment from michaverbach 
  3/1/05 2:16 PM | Permalink

  THIS IS MICHAEL
  STEVES YOUNGER BROTHER, WHOEVER YOU ARE YOU ARE A MORON.
  YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY FOR YOU DO UNDERSTAND TRUELY THE PROBLEMS AND THE TERRIBLE ACTS OF VIOLENCE THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN ISRAEL IS FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY TO DIE.
  YOU MUST REALLY BE STUPID.
  I HOPE THAT YOUR FAMILY IS NOT AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE WISHING ON THEM.
  MICHAEL
  (STEVE'S BROTHER)