* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
“Shalom Sivan, my name is Aluma Ha’itan, I’m the sister of Amichai Vanino, who fell in a heroic battle defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Simchat Torah.
You have written about the importance of blessings and good wishes. Here is an example from my own life:
When Amichai was killed I was still single. During the shiva period of mourning, a friend of my mother came to console us. Before leaving, she told my mother: ‘Let’s meet on happier occasions.’
The friend of my mother had a son, Meir, who was also single. So my mother told her: ‘Let’s meet at the wedding of Meir and of Aluma.’ My mother meant the wedding of each of them, but when Meir’s mother heard these words, she thought the intention was that their children should marry each other. Indeed, after several months, there we were standing under the chuppah . . .
My mother’s blessing simply gave Meir’s mother the idea of us getting married. Approaching 30 days from Amichai’s passing, Meir’s mother gently raised the subject with a neighbor who knew both families.
Meir was also acquainted with Amichai which helped encourage me to meet him although this was still at an early stage of grieving for my brother.
Incidentally, the marriage proposal was made at an observation point that had been established in Amichai’s name.
So please continue to give blessings and good wishes. Besorot tovot. May we hear only good news.”
