Appreciating Life Many times people don’t realize the privileges that they have, until suddenly it smacks them in their face. Would you consider it a privilege to be able to go to a restaurant and sit down with your dad for a meal? No, it’s an ordinary thing that many of us do on a regular basis. Some good friends of mine, Nava Applebaum, and her father, Dr. David Applebaum did just that. For them it wasn’t a privilege, nor was it something ordinary. It was a special occasion. It was the night before her wedding, and her dad, the director of the emergency room of Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, wanted to give her some family advice before she left home. Imagine the beauty of it. About to the man she dearly loved. A father, watching his daughter grow. Now he had the privilege of walking her down the aisle the next day. Such a moment of pure joy, such a treasured memory that one would want to hold onto forever. Nava was a girl who had dreams. Not only did she dream, but she had a firm belief her dreams, would come true. She would reach her goal, her goal of marriage. It was the day before her wedding. What a wonderful climax in her life. A pinnacle achievement. A special occasion in life. Life on the other hand, does not always work as we plan. In a second everything can be ruined. Only seconds to shatter a lifetime of dreams. Dreams of hope, of expectations, of anticipation, of longing; grasping to faith to pull you along until you have reached your dream; lived your dream. Of the delight of walking down the aisle on your wedding day. Seeing the groom waiting there for you. Quietly, a voice says to you inside your head, ‘I love him, he loves me, he’s mine and I’m going to keep him forever.’ Nava never got the chance to say, ‘he’s mine.’ Her father, Dr. Applebaum, never got to walk her down the aisle to the groom. While they were at the Hillel café in Jerusalem, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance. Both Nava and father were killed. Both were kindhearted, generous people. Dr. Applebaum dedicated his life to saving lives. Whenever there was a bombing, he would be one of the first people at the hospital helping to save lives. This time too he was one of the first people to arrive. But this time not in the capacity of a doctor, but as a body brought to be identified. Dr. Glick, a colleague of Dr. Applebaum, and the father of a good friend of mine, was the one who identified the body. Everyone was shook up because Dr. Applebaum had helped so many people and saved so many lives. One of the numerous people he helped was my grandmother. My grandmother lives in Rechavia, Jerusalem. About a year ago she was hospitalized because of heart attack and a ruptured intestine. Many doctors did not think that she would survive. Dr. Applebaum though, had complete faith that she would make it through this ordeal. My grandmother was required to have a tube in her throat, and therefore she was unable to speak. My whole family was in Cleveland unable to talk to my grandmother. And my grandmother was in Israel unable to talk to us. Dr. Applebaum took it upon himself to help our family. He e-mailed my mom and told her how my grandmother was doing. Not once, not twice, but every single night. Sometimes, if something new occurred, he would e-mail more then once a day. He wasn’t required to do it. She wasn’t even his patient at the time. He just saw someone with a problem and did his best to help solve the problem. That is the kind of man he was. A kind thoughtful man. What other doctor would have done something like that. Not many doctors would go above and beyond the call of duty that far. When, I think about it, I wonder, could I ever be like him. A man with a legacy so great. With a lifetime of filled to the brim with kindness. He touched the soul of so many people, including mine. As I have been thinking about it the past day, I wonder, could I ever be like him? Could I bring myself to dedicate my life to helping people just as he had done? Would I ever be able to do the great things that he did? Could I raise a wonderful family and at the same time, still be able to balance a non stop job of dedication to kindness? I think about his daughter and I wonder will I be able to fulfill my dreams? Will I be able to reach my goals? Will I get to live to see my wedding day? I think about it and I realize how much I take things for granted. How much I don’t appreciate the simple privilege of sitting in a restaurant peacefully and eating. Of being able to live a normal life. The questions I ask myself I hope will remain with me forever, reminding me to appreciate what I have, and to strive to be as kind as Dr. Applebaum, and to always have dreams just as Nava did. ********************************************* 09-11-03, 07:41 PM puppyblues How beautifully written, Yafa. I'm so sorry about your friends. Frown You are so young, but you seem to have a very old and wise soul. I hope that never changes.
09-11-03, 07:52 PM Wildflower63 That is a really horrible and sad story. Unfortunately it is a reality for so many in Isreal (I assume this is where this happened). Personally, if I had the means, as it seems this family did, I would get out of Isreal. It is a dangerous country to live. People can be so much more evil than the most vicious animal living. It is very sad things are this way.
09-11-03, 07:59 PM Sailracer Yafa, the fact that you are considering and asking these questions, indicates that YES, you can and probably will emulate th qualities of these people. It is healthy to grieve, but then go on from there and do something to make something positive happen in the future. You CAN make a difference. Be at peace. Dennis
09-11-03, 08:05 PM MrsS Yafa, My Girl...some days you make me proud to the point of tears....what a beautiful account of an ugly, pointless tragedy...bless you for your courage in writing it down and for sharing this touching piece with us. I remain deeply sorry for your loss, but I am so very proud of how you're dealing with it.
09-11-03, 08:34 PM Sherasi Yafa, you have grown up so much this last year it makes my heart ache. Much of that growth was forced upon you, having to endure tragedy and pain of loved ones who mattered so much to you being suddenly and brutally murdered by fanatics.
May God watch over you and your family and give you Peace.
Call me tomorrow at 1pm at my house.
That was a beautiful and loving tribute to such wonderful people. The world is a smaller place without them.
09-12-03, 12:38 AM samantha Yafa I so agree with all all that was said by the others here. You have grown up so much and you have lived and seen alot for your young years. God Bless
09-12-03, 01:10 AM LaPisLaZuLi Yafa, That was so beautiful. Beautiful and sad. I believe that because you wonder aloud at these things, you will be one of the special people.
Even if we can't do as much as Dr. Applebaum, I think each of us should try to do what we can to help others. And we also should appreciate the fact that we have the capacity to help.
Thank you for your post.
09-12-03, 05:02 AM Wildflower63 I don't want to come off as a hard core Republican that wants to take over the world. There is a huge problem with terrorism globally. This does need to stop. The UN needs to get a few things together. Countries need to unite against this criminal activity. This sort of story is horrible. It's just one of many needless deaths of innocent people. This has got to stop.
09-12-03, 05:06 AM cyberlaol I felt your heart and soul crying out as I read these words from far away. It amazes me that there are people in this world who feel that by murdering others in cold blood that somehow God will welcome them into Paradise. Innocent lives are taken and we often end up asking Why? Take the example of your friends and how they lived-live out their examples of kindness,peace and love...Your words have touched me deep within and I pray for you my friend that God will open your eyes to see this from His perspective.I pray that God will bless Israel and His Chosen people with His peace and your heart as well-your friend forever -Leo
09-12-03, 07:19 AM clarebear Yafa
You have changed so much in the last year. I remember spending time with you playing chess on Yahoo. (remember that?) You have had to endure so many losses. Your best friend, family members and friends. I remember a time when I would see you post and my heart would just drop. I just KNEW another person close to you had been a victim of terrorism. I am so glad I got to talk to your mother. She did such a great job raising you. You are true to your beliefs and you are dedicated to God. I can not say that I know what you are feeling. I have never experienced what you have before. I did experience a fraction of what you go through with September 11, 2001. I know it is like that everyday in Israel. I am so glad you decided to stay here and go to college. You have been through hell and back and it still isn't over. Just know that you have a group of people who really care. Not just another DR post, but people who truly wish you peace. I have a feeling many young women are going to want to grow up to be like you. You are going to great things. You will be safe and live a long fulfilling life. That is what you are destined to do. You will make a difference. Peace to you and Your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Frown
09-12-03, 10:18 AM Dwight What a wonderful tribute to your friend, Dr. Applebaum and his daughter, Nava. I think Sailracer is right, the fact that you see these human qualities indicates that you're capable of doing the same or more with your life.
Thank you for sharing your feeling with us.
Dwight
09-12-03, 10:46 AM aminator2002 Yafa... I'm so glad you found a way to let out your emotions about this tragedy. I know you were feeling very badly about it yesterday. What you've written here is very beautiful and I'm sure that your friends would agree that you should appreciate every moment of your life and not take anything for granted. Tragedy can strike any one of us at any moment.
There are great things in your future Yafa... continue to be just who you are. Smile
09-12-03, 07:46 PM gizmogram Yafa,
I am happy that you were able to put your feelings into words and share with the rest of us. That was so beautifully written I could just hear you.
I feel the same way that the others do about how you've grown so much in the past year. I am priviledged to be your friend, and you have impacted my life by being in it.
Thank you
09-12-03, 08:40 PM DorianGreyed Yafa, I have told you many times that I have benefitted more than you from our friendship; once again, you have shown how. If more people understood your soul, there surely would be less violence in the world.
09-13-03, 12:34 AM piggins you already have inside of you those special qualities that you saw in your beloved friend Dr. Applebaum and his daughter Nava. Your friend will be greatly missed by all, but know, that the wonderful memories of the selflessness that he shared with others will continue to shine brightly in the lives he has touched.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
