Eitan & Nana Marysia

This little boy, often labelled wild and uncontrollable,

became the softest, kindest most compassionate child while with mum

Jan 2026

My family lives in different countries - long flights away from each other. It makes it hard to stay in touch. Even with What’s ap and free calls, we all get caught up in our own lives and sometimes forget to check in.

That’s how it is with my two daughters, Sunny and Yasmin, who live in Israel. My ex, and now good friend, Ronny lives there too. My two sons, Gil and Coby, and I live here in Oz.

So when Sunny called to wish me Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year), I was unexpectedly triggered. I realised how much I wished she’d call more often and check in. And if not on me, then at least on mum, her beloved nana — now so old. This feeling had been building, and suddenly it exploded.

I blurted out,

‘It’d be good if you called more often — at least to ask about Nana.

You loved her so much, and yet you rarely ask about her.’

It was a bad moment to explode. Sunny, her husband, and their four kids were all in the car, listening to my outburst. Everyone heard everything.

Sunny explained calmly that distance made it easy to forget to call. She was busy with her family, her work, her life.

And that was that.

Until a week later, when she texted to say she was thinking of coming to Australia, to say goodbye to Nana. She was thinking of bringing their youngest, Eitan.

I was thrilled.

Maybe my words had had some impact after all.

In the end, she brought Evie too, and Mia joined at the very last moment. They were missing school, but Sunny knew this trip was important. I warned her that mum might not last, and that they could miss the chance to see her.

But sunny was still coming.

‘What will be will be’ she said.

***

Melbourne airport. Friday 19/12/25

We rushed toward each other, hugging and chattering, then piled into my car. After a small adventure on the way with Santa, we headed straight to mum at the aged care home.

I filled them in gently. How good it was that they’d made it. How mum was tired now, sleeping a lot, and didn’t like being disturbed.

We walked into her room, everyone cautiously excited, unsure of what to expect. Eitan was scared and hid behind a chair.   

Marysia, look who’s here, I whispered. Look who’s come from Israel to see you.

Doting puppies

Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around - one, two, three, four beautiful young people.

And there was her beloved Sunny. It had been four years since they had last seen each other.

Mum barely talks anymore, but she seemed to recognise Sunny.

She seemed to know that the ‘little Jewish children’ as she always called them, were there beside her, looking at her lovingly.

And so began a week of true pleasure.

I really believe Sunny and the children - especially little Eitan - brought mum back to life.

He became her most devoted companion, spending hours with her. He fed her porridge with a teaspoon, gave her sips of tea, massaged her head, put on her hat and scarf, and made sure she was warm.

This little boy, often labelled wild and uncontrollable, became the softest, kindest most compassionate child while he was with her. Alone with his very old nana in her small room, he had the space and time to let that gentle part of him come out - the part that so often goes unnoticed.

When his sisters tried to feed mum, he became upset. He wanted to be the one holding her hand, standing closest, speaking to her as if she was his own little baby.

At one point, he even asked me to write her a sign so she could read it. (Even though mum barely speaks anymore, she can still read).

‘Who do you love more - me (EITAN) or Jane?’

I laughed. Such an innocent question. He wanted to know whether she loved him as much as he had learnt to love her.

Mum read the sign and smiled.

***

When Sunny decided to come, she had no idea how things would unfold. She didn’t know whether mum would still be alive when they arrived, or whether her children would meet their great-grandmother at all.

But they made it. Mum stayed alive. The children hovered and cooed and poured love over her — and she responded. That alone felt like enough.

What Sunny couldn’t have imagined was the special connection that would form between her youngest child and his great-grandmother, 95 years older than him.

She watched in awe at his tenderness and patience.

He had met mum only once before, when he was three, and had no memory of her. This was the first time he really got to know her.

On their last day, mum lifted her tired arm and stroked his head — a small gesture of love and recognition.

I believe this short visit will stay with Eitan forever -- the memory of a pure exchange of love.

And maybe he learned something else too: that old age is simply part of life.

That old people arn’t scary, just fragile.

That sometimes all they need is someone to sit beside them and hold their hand.

❤️❤️❤️

In the end, it really is all about love.

#distantfamily, #ageingparents, #centurion, #grandchildren, #greatgrandchildren, #love, #connection