My Dad's Favorite Day of the Year
Thoughts and Reflections: Day 847 of Israel's Genocide in Gaza My Dad's Favorite Day of the Year Yom Ha'atzmaut. Israel's Independence Day (or so I called it at the time). I remember my Dad attaching the miniature Israeli flag to the window of our silver Toyota Prius. Letting it stream in the wind as he drove me to school in the morning. Rare that he would drive me to school. Rare that he would let something hang out of the window while we drove -- not worried that it would fly off, get caught on something. But this wasn't any regular day. It was Yom Haatzma'ut. The rules were different. Bringing home falafel and shawarma wraps from Max's, the kosher restaurant in Silver Spring, and a Spring mango nectar. My favorite meal. The usual restriction on sugary drinks magically lifted. None of the typical lectures about the benefits of water compared to soft drinks, or the price advantage of tap water. It was one of the only times he seemed happy to make us happy....