Only in Israel...

Today I witnessed the most precious thing… I was standing at the bus stop waiting for the bus when I see these 2 very young kids – likely siblings – approach someone else at the stop.  I did not hear the dialogue that took place between them, but next thing I knew, the older approached person accompanied the two youngsters across the street.  It didn’t hit me right away what happened, but then I realized that these two kids aren’t allowed to cross the street by themselves, so whenever they approach a street crossing (mind you, it wasn’t on a very busy street – super un-highway like), their instruction is to ask someone older and self-reliant (at least when it comes to crossing the street) to accompany them across the road. 

Seeing this made me briefly smile internally, but it was quickly interrupted when a new set of young siblings, a young girl holding the hand of her even younger brother, came over to me and very quietly, obediently and politely asked me if I could help them cross the street.  My heart melted!!! It was the sweetest thing!  I obviously agreed and very simply walked across the street with them (to be honest I wasn’t sure if I should have held her hand as well but I kind of protectively put my hand around her as if to rest it on her shoulder, but I didn’t actually touch her – I didn’t want to freak her out).  I was so pleased to have taken part in that little good deed.

It really struck me what a special occurrence this was.  I really feel like this would and could only happen in Israel.  Firstly, that such young children have such respect for the rules that their parents set for them is something you don’t see every day.  Secondly, that parents trust their kids to such an extent to set these rules in place and trust that they will followed is also something.  And thirdly, that it is safe and appropriate for little kids to approach ‘strangers’ is the very thing that parents tell their kids NOT to do in America.  The whole situation was somewhat surreal, but was really enlightening and encouraging.  I’m happy now to be living in a place where such an occurrence can take place at such regular intervals.  I’m excited at the prospect of raising a family in such an environment.