A Parent's Thanks: 

I brought you a seedling and today I'm taking home a flower...

At a very moving graduation ceremony of eleven youngsters from our Junior Unit, the parents' representative, Tali, choking back tears, spoke from her heart as follows:

"I clearly remember like it was yesterday my parting from my son on his first day at the Children's Home. He was so small and fragile, only six years old, he was disturbed, mischievous and uncontrollable. I said my goodbyes in his cottage at the Home's old campus. He seemed so small and vulnerable and I left him there alone, with a heavy heart and great concern, trying to convince myself that I had made the right decision.

Now, seven years later, I can say that, although it hasn't been an easy path, I made the right decision. I brought you a seedling and today, with your help, I am taking home a flower. I will never forget the devotion and care that my son received during his first four years here, and then his last three years in the Junior Unit. During all that time, you offered us help, warmth, love and sincere caring. You never ever left us alone. While taking care of my son, you also took care of me. I learned to know myself better and see things I hadn't wished to see before.

I came to understand that bad memories keep you locked in place and in order to move on, you must address these memories and let them go. Tamar [The social worker], you were always at my side, you taught me that one can come out stronger from every difficult situation. you loved me like a mother, you led and protected me.

It won't be an exaggeration to say that I have gotten back my son.  I love you, my dearest son, and I'm proud of you for the long way you've come and I promise I will always be here for you. When I look at you, I see something special, a kind of eternity and goodness that is hard for me to believe.

Today we are taking leave of a beloved place that embraced us and escorted us with warmth and acceptance. You are sending us on our way with new tools with which to cope. There are special people to whom you don't just say 'good-bye', you say, ' I'll see you again'.

Thank you, each and every one, for the daily care you bestowed upon our children, with endless patience and love, thank you for investing in their studies and ensuring their progress, thank you for giving of yourselves day and night for the children's good.

Thank you for listening to what it was that pained my child and helping him become acquainted with himself.

We wish you all, continued fruitful work, and for ourselves we wish to have the privilege of again meeting up with such a caring and loving staff along our future path."

July 2010