Yes, for memory—this is not a mistake. A day for memory.

I will never forget October 7th, 2023. I will never ask, “When was that again? Remind me?”

On that day, my life, my family’s life, and all of our lives took a sharp, painful turn that we can’t ignore.

Another day for memory is December 15th, 2023—the day we were informed, along with my family and all of you, of the tragic death of our son, Yotam Chaim.

He was killed by friendly fire as he escaped Hamas captivity, mistakenly identified as a terrorist.

Even if I wanted to forget these days, I wouldn’t be able to. I cannot erase them from my very existence, from who I am.
They are etched into my being, now and forever.

Memory is something that makes me laugh on some days—those days when I picture Yotam in my mind’s eye with all of his antics, laughing, imitating me speaking English with the thickest Israeli accent.
Mimicking politicians, sitting together watching the most ridiculous TV show and bursting into laughter.

Memory is also something that makes me cry—a lot—when I hear the songs we listened to together, songs that will forever be ours:

“Everyone sometimes whistles in the dark / It’s nice, it’s innocent to whistle in the dark / Even I, to myself, someone else in my place / Everyone is a little scared to be alone in the dark / Everyone is a little lonely in the dark / Nothing really, just a little unrest…” — Arik Einstein & Ya’ankale Rotblit

Memory is the little dash between Yotam’s birthdate:
January 2, 1995
And the date he left for a world filled only with goodness.

That dash represents the time we spent together, the time we grew together—so many life events, some joyful, some difficult and sad.

A day for memory, to remind us why we are alive here.

I have a personal memory, a memory of my son, laughing, crying, working, hugging his mother tightly. That memory is imprinted on me.
Memories of voices and conversations, Yotam calling me “Mama,” walking into the house with yet another new tattoo and shyly holding up a jar of Bepanthen ointment, saying, “Mom, can you put this on for me?”