War on Israel, on democracy, on humanity. 

But there are some things that remind you of how good this world is, that we all have a choice in what we think feel and do, and perhaps we indirectly affect others greatly, we invite others into our day, into our life, and we may surprise them as they may incredibly surprise us. It's those little huge things that happen in and around life that grab our attention in a profound and long-lasting way.

My daughter came from the army base for the weekend, and i picked her up at the bus station. We drive quickly to return to the safety of our home, but on route we stop at the grocery store. We park the car, give each other a big strong hug, and go into the store to buy some necessities and some treats to comfort family in these dark and terrible days. We bring all to the cashier, and notice one of them say to the other, give them a 'member discount'. I suddenly notice that my daughter is dressed in her army uniform. I turn back to the cashier. "Oh, how kind of you, thank you so much!" "No problem" she replies. As the cashier rings up our order, i remember that we didn't get salt and sugar so i tell my daughter who runs off to bring them. Upon her return, the cashier totals everything up, and i reach for my wallet. Before i am able to pay, the other cashier reaches with her phone to the register and pays for everything. "You're free to go," she says to me. "What?" "Go," she replies matter of factly, "you're good to go". I look at her, watery eyed and dumbfounded, and then look at my daughter who is staring at me with the same look, overtaken with awe and emotion, and we turn to the cashier, both thanking her from the bottom of our hearts. Still in shock, and overwhelmed with the cashier's act of kindness, we drive home, neither saying much, but no doubt moved and inspired. This would be a happy enough story, but here is the truly amazing thing: the cashier spoke Hebrew of course, but from her accent, we could tell she was an Arab, doesn't matter if Druze or Christian or Muslim, an Arab! She paid from her own account, using her own money to cover our cost. Incredible. 

My daughter happened to be in the same store, a day or two later, and saw the same cashier, who didn't recognize my daughter in civilian clothes. She thanked her, and told her that she affected us greatly. The cashier shrugged her off, smiling naturally, and simply said "You are welcome." Ask most Israelis, and they'll admit this happens all the time here in Israel, Jews and Arabs with small little caring gestures, routinely. It's simply an every day occurrence, a regular typical behavior between us - but it's those other types from both sides that get the attention, and disturb the peace. 

This is the chaos of living in Israel, where joyful happiness and deep and anxious sorrow can exist simultaneously, where day and night can switch places, where enemies can become like family members, on the fly, immediately. My experience is a small one, but throughout history, recent and ancient, there are so very many stories of Jews and Arabs behaving in a truly good way, despite their own inclinations, natural pressures, going against family or community wishes, denouncing their leaders' orders, and carving out their own futures. so many stories of acute wisdom and bravery. It's a sad shame that trauma and tragedy need to be our teachers.