I wanted to get something to mark the changes I’ve gone through since October 7
But I grappled with how to honor the lives lost and the resilience of the survivors and the spirit of our tiny, yet mighty nation.
I knew I wanted a tatttoo, but the idea of etching the date onto my skin felt too fixed, too tethered to the specific moment in time. Instead, I yearned for a symbol that transcended the calendar, encapsulating the essence of remembrance and resilience.
And then I remembered: Shani Louk, who was brutally murdered after the Nova party, was a tattoo artist — I never met her but we traveled in concentric circles and I knew of her.
In fact, a good friend of mine told me about how once at a party another woman – a total
Stranger – wasn’t feeling well and Shani stayed by her side until she was ready to stand up again and dance.
Others describe Shani like an Angel – ethereal, spirtual and deeply kind, and she has left an indelible impression on me and on so many others.
So I went to her family’s
Website set up in her honor.
Along with her paintings and portraits, there were dozens of twttoo designs and that’s when the dragonfly emerged as a poignant choice.
The intricate wings. Still motion in flight. Plus I’m a sucker for the Joni Mitchell song… “yesterday a child came out to wander… caught a dragonfly inside a jar.” I sing that song to my youngest, sometimes.
For me, the dragonfly also embodies the spirit of transformation and adaptability. Despite its delicate appearance, it possesses a remarkable strength, navigating effortlessly through turbulent winds and weathering storms with grace. Kind of like us – Am Yisrael.
In the immediate aftermath of this tragedy — a tragedy we are still living constantly, I have witnessed the community’s collective resilience, akin to the dragonfly’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Like the dragonfly, we found the strength to adapt, to rise above, and to seek the light. Always. That’s what we do.
Because that’s just our nature.
In Memory of Shani Louk RIP
