A Soldier’s Mother
The Chinese philospher Lao-Tzu once said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
This is what A Soldier’s Mother has done. This blog was started by a mom to follow her son Elie, a young soldier. He began his 3 years of military service in the Israeli army in March 2007 .
ern news media reports and it is almost always the most negative aspects that they show. But of course, anyone who is in contact with people of a country can hear different stories! Blogs at their best, can be powerful transmitters of understanding.
This blog is very universal in it’s feeling. All mothers miss their sons when they go off to the armed forces, no matter what country or culture you are from. And yes, deep down, each Mom does battle her own fears. Mother says, “Perhaps, despite the worries, my son is right. This is an adventure, a new road he will take. I should be excited for him. I should be (and I am) very proud of him. In other countries, 19 year old boys are drinking and driving and focusing on girls. It will be years before they grow up while here in Israel, they are given responsibility, life and death decisions.”
Mother shares her world with the good times including the joys of phone calls and of too-short visits, and the bad times that return when the news reports are once again scary. But, more than once, Mother pushes her fears back. In her words she “decided to be a mother who welcomes my son home with happiness, but more importantly, one who keeps the fears and worries from overwhelming him…”
It was eventually one of Mother’s recent posts called Two Rights Don’t Make a Wrong, that I honor with The Rising Blogger’s Post of the Day. I invite everyone to read Mother’s post. This is about about young men and women in the Israeli army, and how her son made his own choice concerning this.
lt is a very thought-provoking post.
Congratulations to A Soldier’s Mother from Barbara at The Rising Blogger!
Review written by BARBARA.
I find that these kinds of personal log blogs are a great way to learn about the real way that people see the world. Great study for a writer.
Thank you for bringing this important voice to our attention. I’ll look forward to reading more blogs at http://www.israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com
When you read this post (and hopefully you will), I’m glad you and others are keeping in mind the difference in culture and country. Israel is very much interested in women’s rights – both in the army and out. Women serve in many combat units, maternity leave is 100% for approx. 14 weeks and women cannot be fired during pregnancy or in the months that follow. At the same time, Israel is a Jewish country and many of its people are religous and wish to follow Jewish law. Amazingly enough, these are made not to conflict. Men can serve in units with women…or not. The goal of army service isn’t to meet one’s mate or socialize. It’s to defend and serve. Elie was asked in advance what his preference was and he responded. The army recognizes that it made a mistake when it assigned him to a unit with women and yet didn’t want to damage either Elie or the women coming into the unit.
There was no reaspon to punish Elie because he had done nothing wrong. The army had found a way to compromise to meet the needs of both…and then it messed up. I hope you all will continue to follow my blog and Elie’s service in the army. It’s been an amazing journey of discovery for me and as read back from the beginning sometimes, I am amazed how far we have come and can only wonder how far we have yet to go.
A Soldier’s Mother
http://www.israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com
Congratulations to you, Soldier's Mother !
I know very well about cultural differences, from my own "mixed " ethnic background, and also as a US expat living in Europe.
It is refreshing to see life,culture and everything else from a personal viewpoint and not some pre-fabricated media news.Of course,it will be a pleasure for me to follow your blog.
Wishing you,Elie & your family all the best.
Excellent post, excellent choice Jud.
This was an awesome read. What a well deserved win and intriguing story.
Could not be a better choice, Barbara! And the effort in the post by A Soldier’s Mother, plus her taking the time to share with us on TRB more of her thoughts here on our Comments page is awesome!
Hi everyone,
Thanks again for your encouragement, my friends.
I just feel it, this Mom is just fantastic.