Two weeks later

Two weeks later we still jump at the advance alert warning.
But two weeks later we roll our eyes at our phones and tell them to be quiet.

Two weeks later the memes are still flowing.
But two weeks later they are not all that funny.

Two weeks later the laundry on the couch is still not folded or distributed.
But two weeks later we just grab what we need from the pile.

Two weeks later Zoom school is still happening.
But two weeks later we all know no one is actually learning too much.

Two weeks later we have announced we are done checking the news.
But two weeks later we are still scrolling for updates every ten minutes.

Two weeks later we keep telling the kids everything will be back to normal (whatever that means) soon.
But two weeks later we are still trying to convince ourselves.

Two weeks later we have listened to every military expert on every relevant podcast.
But two weeks later it’s quite clear that no one actually knows when and how this war will end.

Two weeks later we have mastered the art of half-sleep.
But two weeks later real rest still feels far away.

Two weeks later we are utterly exhausted.
But two weeks later we are far from broken.

Two weeks later we have lost our patience.
But two weeks later we have not lost our resolve.

Two weeks later we don’t know which government officials to trust.
But two weeks later we still believe in this small country and its incredible people.

Two weeks later we are short on strength.
But two weeks later resilience isn’t just a slogan but our lived experience.

Two weeks later we are emotionally and physically drained.
But two weeks later we are still here.

Two weeks later we are wishing this was another “6 day war,” or we would even take 12.
But two weeks later we remind ourselves that עם ישראל לא מפחד מדרך ארוכה – The Jewish nation is not afraid of the long road ahead.

Two weeks later the miraculous has become the mundane and the momentous can feel like it has lost its meaning.
But two weeks later — as we dare to start thinking about Passover — we remember that we belong to an ever unfolding story. 

Two weeks later we are running low on energy.
But two weeks later we charge ahead more confident than ever that we are not going anywhere, and we are in this for the long run.

Am Yisrael Chai!