Their lies do not inform my truth

As I'm writing this, the sirens are wailing.

I can feel the explosions above our head through the walls of our mamad (shelter).

There have been a couple in a row; Jerusalem is celebrating Shushan Purim, but for us, outside of the holy city, the celebration is over.

The adrenaline has waned- we got through the weekend, through the holiday, and now...

Iran and Hezbollah just attacked us at the same time. It sounds like fireworks outside.

Every day, I write just so I can record this experience.

Because the world wants to believe something totally different about my reality.

Every day, I get thousands of comments telling me that I am the oppressor.

That "the Austrian painter should have finished the job."

That I deserve to burn, in "Israelhell."

Wishing me, my family, and my people, all the suffering the world has to offer.

Blaming us for everything you can imagine, having nothing to do with any kind of reality I can recognize.

All the while, I am huddled with my family in a shelter, taking in deep breaths, trying to see the bigger picture.

Trying to let go of the things I can't control.

Reminding myself that those who hate us or seek our destruction: they create their own pathetic reality, having nothing to do with mine.

Their lies do not inform my truth.

The alert just came to my phone that allows us to leave the shelter. I know it won't be long before we are back.

All my intention focused on the bigger picture.

Saving my energy for the healing we will need.

The world that we will need to rebuild.

Feeling gratitude for the IDF, the soldiers, and their families who are protecting us.

For God, whose plans and timing are Divine.

For my people, whose resilience is the miracle of humanity.

For our land, worth fighting for.

May God protect the State of Israel and our allies.

Let's end this once and for all, so we can live in peace.