The nation was deeply moved when Lt. Ivri Dickshtein's flowers for his wife arrived after his death, but Miriam wasn't surprised. She was used to his thoughtful gestures.
Before Rosh Hashanah too, Ivri had sent her flowers and chocolate with his words from the northern front, "My dear wife, I'm writing to you during these days of war, fear, and uncertainty. Here's a small gift to remind you of better days. As the new year approaches, I wish that the coming year brings blessings, good choices, and above all, life and peace! Love you and miss you very much."
When he wasn't sending flowers, Ivri found other creative ways to express his love – sending symbolic amounts through a payment app, each with a different message. His final transfer came at 2 a.m. on Oct. 2, two days before his death: $32 with the note "A gift for tough times, from Ivri, your loving husband." There was no financial logic in sending money to someone sharing his bank account – but that wasn't the point.
Their four-year relationship began with a pre-arranged ride from Ofra to Eli. "Ivri kept my phone number," recalls Miriam. That number led to a love story that would never see a break or drama. "Ivri had the strength of a wall," she says. "I could lean on him. That's what built our stability and love.
"We're still at war," she tells the many who come to comfort her. "People go into battle knowing what lies ahead and what they leave behind. We need to be worthy of them. And as Ivri always said – we need to lift our heads and look at everything from a broader perspective."
