Well, today was a day I’ll never forget, and one I hope never to repeat 
After 24 hours with no sirens or interceptions in our area, my mom and I thought it was safe enough to drive to my grandparents. Iran rarely attacked during the day, and today was also the day my mom had to do her metapelet (caretaker) duties.
Big mistake.
The drive began peacefully: Clear roads, music through the speakers, and blue skies promising a nice day.
Everything was normal… until the emergency alert shattered the calm.
Peace turned to panic as we frantically searched for somewhere to take cover. With five minutes until the sirens would sound, we tried to follow my dad’s instructions to reach the nearby tunnels, but the cars around us were already pulling off the road. We knew we wouldn’t make it in time, so we parked the car and climbed over the guardrail to huddle beneath a bridge with other Israelis, seeking cover in one of the few places that offered any.
Minutes later, the sirens began. As we sat against the concrete wall, we prayed for protection, anticipating the all-too-familiar booms of interceptions.
Miraculously, the missiles missed our area, and our world remained silent.
A few minutes later, my dad called. “Keep driving,” he directed. So, we ran back to the car, our hearts pounding as we headed for the highway.
However, as we entered downtown Haifa — near the exact spot of a direct hit a few days prior — the sirens screamed again.
This time, there was no five-minute warning and nowhere to hide!
We threw our mat on the ground and lay flat, holding our breath for whatever came next. By God’s grace, the rockets once again stayed away from us and were intercepted closer to where we’d been.
Feeling exposed and vulnerable, we didn’t wait for Home Front Command’s all-clear before getting back on the road. We momentarily considered turning back, but at that point, we were closer to my grandparents’ than our house. So we kept going.
Within thirty minutes of arriving, the sirens wailed again. But this time, we were safely inside a bomb shelter!
Still, the fear lingered as we wondered how we’d get home.
The peaceful day we’d hoped for had turned into a nightmare. All my mom and I wanted to do was get home, but we didn’t know when Iran would strike again. We decided to wait for one more siren so we’d have a gap, but none came. Once our emotions had calmed and my grandparents were settled, we raced home in record time. I’ve never been more thankful to be home.
Note to self: Even when the cabin fever feels unbearable, don’t leave the house when the country’s on high alert. It’s not worth the risk. These are terrifying, dangerous times, and safety is everything.
To the essential workers, the soldiers, the medics, and the volunteers who run toward the danger while the rest of us run from it: You are heroes! Please stay safe!
Lord, thank you for protecting my mom and me today. Thank you for safety and rest!
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.” ~ Psalms 138:7
