(I had planned to put Orly's first letter on before I left, and there wasn't time. Now that Orly wrote me another letter, I am going to share both. Orly's son Ari and Yossi were very close. They went to preschool together, and Yossi always looked up to Ari. He was very happy when Ari really started to become close to him.-L)

(Jan. 10, 2001)
Dear Leah:
It is just recently that I log on to Yossi's page and I feel more "connected" now to what is going on. I was always uncomfortable asking, and will relay on information from friends who are closer to your family. When I read your web page I both cried and smiled. Obviously I cried for you, your husband, your family and Yossi. I smiled because through your writings you demonstrated such Koach and Chizok that there is no doubt in my mind that you will over come this. Ari and Yossi have became close friends in the past few months, therefore I got to know Yossi better this time. I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with his attitude, his positive thinking and his casual approach to his illness. He is a great kid with fine qualities and he is determined to beat his Cancer. With Hashem's help, he will. I want to tell you a short story: When winter break started Yossi came over on that Sunday and Ari asked if I could take them to the movies, shopping, and somewhere else which I forgot. I said to them "why do you want to do so much in one day, leave something for later" and Yossi said, I have to do everything today because I go to Chemo and will be "out" for the next two weeks. I wanted so much as this moment to make his illness go away instantly. I also realized how much we take things for granted. I have learned an important lesson from Yossi that day. I pray for his full and speedy recovery every chance I have, but I would like to do more. So, please ask because I don't know what you need. Anyway, I think I wrote enough.
Take care!
Orly


Dear Leah:
I know you get a hundred e mails a day, so you don't need to respond. I just wanted to tell you that you are truly an incredible women. Through the web site,which I read more then once a day, I (and the other 24,000people who visit the site)! can see how hard you fight for Yossi. Sometimes it is so very hard to read what you write, and I can't even imagine how it feels to actually live it. Please know that here in Richmond everyone is trying really hard. We pray alone and in groups, we give Tzedakah, we do good deeds and we hope for the best. I feel that there are a million people in this world that are "banging" on the gates of Haven saying, NO WAY he is not coming! and I think Hashem is listening. Yossi is still here, what an amazing boy he is! Ari misses Yossi terribly, and he is praying so hard for him.
Leah, may your prayers and ours be answered.
Take care.
Orly


Take me back to see more letters.
Take me back to Yossi's (z"l) main page.