To be Israeli is to weep on Memorial Day, then celebrate Independence Day the very next morning as if nothing happened.
It's to tear up on the way to work, passing photos of the hostages, then sit down at your desk and carry on as if everything is fine.
It's to argue over left and right — but really over which side cares more about this country's future.
It's to fight with one another, yet be wrapped in the same flag.
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Our history has always woven together joy and sorrow, pain and victory, darkness and light, conflict and love.
And perhaps that is precisely why we are world champions at coping and moving forward — at crying and being happy at the same time.
With a prayer for an easier year ahead — or at least a less difficult one.
Happy Independence Day!