How can I sleep tonight?

Our son that is in the IDF, was given a day at home before all the "activity" was expected with the votes coming in for a PA state. Doesn't matter if the international community voted for or against...we were sure the Palestinians would be acting like...well...Palastinians. Any excuse to throw a rock. And so it is, that even though the world was discussing the fate of Israel today, and votes pouring in in favor of the Palestinians....the Palestinians were shooting Israeli cars, stoning our infants with one in critical condition after the 16 mo old was hit in the head by a rock...and countless other incidents today. Our son returned to base just over 48 hours ago...and he has laid down to rest for less than 3 short hours.

For those of us in the north, it was just another normal day. Kids came home from school and rushed off to play with friends, or do homework, or go to Karate lessons. My husband worked a full 10 hours while I worked 4hours with my 2 yr old in tow. And while we went about our normal activities, my mind kept returning to what my son might be doing. I checked the news periodically. At one point he called breathless to say, "turn on the news" but of course he couldn't tell me what was happening on the phone.

Later in the day as the sun went down, my children sang and played piano, others doing homework and husband reading the news on the internet. As I washed the dinner dishes I wondered how we could go on acting so normal while I knew many were in battle or in danger. I wondered how the residents in Jewish villages in Judea and Samaria could sleep tonight. I wondered how would I sleep tonight knowing my son can't. Sleep is a luxury that those who watch over Israel can't afford.

My son told me how going from one incident to another to another he and his commander were nodding off. The adrenaline was gone and they were beyond exhausted. He managed to catch a nap only to wake up not knowing how long he'd slept, where he was, how he got there, what day it was or if it was morning or evening. Took him an hour to get his bearings. As he was telling me how strange it was to be that exhausted, an emergency call came in "gotta go" click. and so I go back to doing the dishes...while I know my son is rushing off to who knows what.

Almost seems wrong to act so normal...yet this is our new normal, and life goes on and we have to keep living. As they say, praise the Lord now pass the amo. We pray, we defend, and we keep living. I could stay up all night on my knees ...crying into a pillow because I'm worried about my son. Or I can suck it up, muster up my strength, tuck the kids in and... sleep. Someone has to take care of the other children, and I'll be no good to them if I don't. "He Who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps" this applies to the IDF (mothers and loved ones of the IDF) as well as YHVH God Almighty. Think I'll give Him the nightshift tonight.