While in Israel, my dad visited Jerusalem’s holy Western Wall. It’s where thousands of people visit the holiest site to pray and commune. Before my dad left on his trip, he mentioned he may be visiting the site and that he would be the messenger of any note if I wanted to write anything. I was intrigued, so I sent him off with an envelope. . The second photo shows my dad placing the note next to a rabbi as well as saying a prayer for my mom and me. Little did he know, the note he travelled with and then carefully placed was written to her. It’s taken me nearly five years to write to her and I still get choked up whenever I try speaking to her aloud. A sense of anger, sadness, resentment, loss and confusion takes over my body and, most of the time, I can’t finish my sentence. Miraculously, I was able to fill a front and back side of paper while also letting a few tears sign the note. . Recovery from life-changing experiences can be a daily challenge where inhaling and exhaling seem like too much work; where my mind associates itself with ongoing storylines of worthlessness and despair; and when the emotions of a life lived within constant fear overwhelms every atom in my body. But in the quiet, often unexpected moments of peace, I’m able to witness the miraculous and unscripted feeling of love, gratitude and hope. My mother gave me the opportunity for life, not only once but twice, in her presence and now in her absence. It’s only taken five years and 7,000 miles for me to realize this. . #jerusalem #israel #jewish #rabbi #holywall #westernwall #westernwallprayers #travel #blogger #instagood #instawriter #shewrites #writersofinstagram #writersnetwork #writersstrike #likeforlike #like4like #followforfollow #followback #love #mom #god #religion #jesus #dad (at הכותל המערבי - Western Wall)