I almost wish it weren't so possible for me to push the terrors of the world aside temporarily so that I can celebrate holidays. For the first couple weeks of the war, especially having just been in Israel myself, I was completely heartbroken and distraught by everything I was seeing. I'm a little ashamed that only a few weeks later I feel capable of having a more or less normal holiday. It reminds me of the way that the public attitude was toward Ukraine in those early months before people seemed to quietly stop caring even while the war ravaged on. I think our generation is disturbingly good at numbing itself. I admire that you don't find it quite so easy. It can be hard for people to remember that the people overseas in their struggles are just as real as us. Beautiful, empathetic and honest piece, Elishah. Thanks for sending this one in.