Omri fell down in a dead faint 2 years ago and was rushed to the hospital. He was 22 years old at the time. Doctors found a growth in his brain and said that they had to operate immediately. “After the operation he never woke up again,” Chagit recounts to Yediot Acharonot in an interview. “He stayed in the hospital for 8 months. I was stubborn and I hoped he would get out of it.”
But Omri never made it. But despite the hardship of dealing with his loss Chagit promised herself that she would make every effort to perpetuate Omri’s memory. “I promised him he would be proud of me from up in the heavens; that I would perpetuate his memory and he would remain here with me forever. The music room in the school he studied in, which was dedicated to his memory is but one example. It’s named after him because he was very musical,” Chagit says.
“I’m happy I’m alive because no one knows what can happen even in one hour!”
Omri’s death brought Chagit to understand that life here is very temporary and you must get the most out of them. “I set him free with pain but with a lot of love. I said farewell and started a new path. I chose to live, to function and to get back to routine and have a happy life. I went through a process of growth and closure and I understood that I have a responsibility. Life is a one-time experience and we need to take advantage of it. I understood the true meaning of the transience of life and every moment I’m happy to be alive for I don’t know what will be in another hour.”
Since then Chagit doesn’t sit on her laurels and all the hugs she wanted to give Omri but can’t she gives to other youth in personal coaching classes. In addition to this Chagit started a special group for mothers in Or Yehudah to help them deal with the issues adolescents deal with to help their children. “I felt that I so much want to hug Omri but I can’t.”
“So I decided that through helping other youth I’ll be hugging Omri. I’ll help them and tell them I believe in them, that they are good the way they are and their coping with their problems which seem like a mountain is mainly a perception of this age group. I’ll tell them they are allowed to make mistakes and only in that way will they grow.”
Chagit’s approach is to be non-judgmental but to be there for them. To make them feel included, because after all everyone wants someone to believe in his abilities. “My most difficult moments are when I long for him,” Chagit concludes. “This happens a few times a day nd on certain days I choose to free up this place in my heart. I understand that Omri had a short life and I hear him telling me that he is proud of me.”
