...and keep praying until morning.
This morning I called DD's swimming teacher to see if her lesson was still on. It was. We went to the pool, they had the lesson and then, as usual, DD and her friends play in the pool for about another hour. They were in the large children's pool, about 80cm deep and with a life guard on duty. The parents sit round the edge on deck chairs, chatting and keeping an eye on their kids.
It's noisy with about 40 kids in the pool, 40 more in the main pool (olympic size doncha know), and another 20 kids in the enormous paddling pool for toddlers just beyond the children's pool. And I'm chatting to my friend.
Suddenly I see a surge of mothers heading toward the pool with stricken looks on their faces. I didn't hear the siren (I need to get the phone app asap) but I knew straight away what it was. I too jumped up and surged toward the pool, grabbed DD and ran for the shelter.
We didn't actually make it to the shelter as there were too many people filling the underground(ish) corridors leading to the changing rooms. It felt safe enough there so there we stayed for the obligatory 10 minutes. However people were already saying they'd heard the boom and seen the smoke.
When we returned outside I saw the smoke lingering above South Jerusalem where Iron Dome had intercepted and blown up Qassam Rocket. (It's only a matter of time before the new superhero movie and merchandise hit the cinemas.)
100 disgruntled kids left the pool early with 50 shell shocked mums. We stopped for hot dogs on the way home to compensate. And we got home just in time for the moonlight movie (if there is an air-raid the shelters are here, here and here). This week it was Shrek Forever. We almost had to leave in the middle as DD was too scared of the dragon.
This morning I called DD's swimming teacher to see if her lesson was still on. It was. We went to the pool, they had the lesson and then, as usual, DD and her friends play in the pool for about another hour. They were in the large children's pool, about 80cm deep and with a life guard on duty. The parents sit round the edge on deck chairs, chatting and keeping an eye on their kids.
It's noisy with about 40 kids in the pool, 40 more in the main pool (olympic size doncha know), and another 20 kids in the enormous paddling pool for toddlers just beyond the children's pool. And I'm chatting to my friend.
Suddenly I see a surge of mothers heading toward the pool with stricken looks on their faces. I didn't hear the siren (I need to get the phone app asap) but I knew straight away what it was. I too jumped up and surged toward the pool, grabbed DD and ran for the shelter.
We didn't actually make it to the shelter as there were too many people filling the underground(ish) corridors leading to the changing rooms. It felt safe enough there so there we stayed for the obligatory 10 minutes. However people were already saying they'd heard the boom and seen the smoke.
When we returned outside I saw the smoke lingering above South Jerusalem where Iron Dome had intercepted and blown up Qassam Rocket. (It's only a matter of time before the new superhero movie and merchandise hit the cinemas.)
100 disgruntled kids left the pool early with 50 shell shocked mums. We stopped for hot dogs on the way home to compensate. And we got home just in time for the moonlight movie (if there is an air-raid the shelters are here, here and here). This week it was Shrek Forever. We almost had to leave in the middle as DD was too scared of the dragon.
BTW pikud haoref asks people not to run to shelters but to walk fast. Most of the injuries so far have been from people having accidents whilst running for shelter.
ReplyDeleteIt was a figure of speech. No one ran, we all moved with some urgency.
DeleteI just love your attitude in all this, Rachel. Sending you metaphorical healthy chocolate truffles. They exist...I know this will cheer you. Once this is all over we shall both make them and eat them in tandem. Deal? xxxx
ReplyDeleteNeeds musts I think. Btw - chocolate doesn't do it for me, I need something cheesey. But deal to tandem eating. :)
DeleteHuh? 7% of weight loss target????? Anyone would think you were stress eating. :) xxxxx
ReplyDeleteYeh tat was last week before the war. All bets are off for the moment. :{
DeleteThank you for your honest and frank posts over the last couple of weeks. I am in (mid) Canada and, while we hear some of the news, we do not hear much of the human side of your/their life/lives. I avidly read the insights your post. I will continue to pray that the God of Israel (and my God) will hear your cries and preserve you.
ReplyDeleteMyra, from Winnipeg, Canada, with an aching heart.
Thank you Myra, and I will try to keep you updated from a personal point of view. xx
Deletexxxx
ReplyDeleteI've just caught up on the last few posts, best wishes to you and your DD, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jay xx
DeleteIt affects every day life for you doesn't it? Hugs and stay safe xxx
ReplyDeleteYes it does. I don't think about it all the time but it's there. On the other hand, I think I am maybe one of the calmer mothers on the block. On the other hand, we are in Jerusalem and not in the south or centre. So far Jerusalem has been the least hit.
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