Dear Mary and Shenk,

Yesterday, Friday morning at 10:00 we were all again at Yonatan’s grave – a tremendous crowd. On the way up – the sky was dark, our umbrellas were ready after 48 hours of very welcome good rain!

The ceremony was astoundingly sincere, extremely well organized; one eulogy after the other, stronger and stronger in its expression, deep honest sorrow and a renewed lively and intelligent brave Yonatan again in front of all of us! It was all Susie’s doings. Two well-chosen songs for the beginning and the end: 1) “…the wheat grows again...” the love for the land and our green fields (this year)  2) “I have no other country, this is my home…” one of my favorite Hebrew songs, a quiet solo performed very touchingly! –

The two youngsters from the army – we know them from last year especially at the “shloshim” – reached out for beyond what we usually hear and showed feelings of friendship and a close understanding of Yonatan and admiration for him. Yonatan’s friends from school miss him so much. Boaz and Maya were very capable of expressing themselves and, of course, Iris, Moshe and Susie added their feelings strongly and I can’t help saying “beautifully” and let us all be part of their grief.

The clouds were gone, the sun showed up and there even was a feeling of relief mixed with many tears when the many flowers heaped up on the very well taken care of graveside. Throughout the whole year Susie and the family took extreme care! At this season the cyclamen are blossoming white, pink, lilac and big green leaves. Yonatan’s picture in the closed glass box and many pots and plants right around. I am sure you got an exact account already and are part of everything! – But I felt an urge to give my version.

During this last long year Moshe and I saw Susie more from the side and could feel her sorrow and her confrontation with the tragic reality… Yesterday the room was packed the whole day. I put another cheese cake in the fridge in the morning while Susie was busy with the many youngsters she loves so much who all came to the house. The table was ready for them – it was 9:15, before the cemetery. We want to visit them this evening, last night she was too exhausted; I hope she managed to get some rest (if that is possible!)

I wanted to write to you very often – especially towards the New Year of 1998 – but somehow postponed it every time and really waited for the memorial day.

The situation in the country i.e. really all around the world, especially in the Near East, is almost unbearable and very uncertain! – Nobody ever knows what is really going to happen…?

So let’s be comforted occasionally and take things as they come and make the best of it.

Keep well; you have your daily worries and probably deal with them with all your strength and wisdom as satisfactorily as possible!

Hoping to see you sometimes.

Love, yours

Ben-Amis – all of them!