A beautiful essay, Sally.

If I could recommend a book, well, two actually, because they are brother and sister, more than sequels, it would be Herman Wouk's The Hope and 2nd The Glory. I love them, own them, have read them many times. It's a story about people like your mother, her friends and army mates and officers. Of the land and spirit, intelligence and determination of the Jewish people in Israel. If you mother doesn't know it, she would know the stories as they go through the wars and Israel's right to a nation unto themselves. Wouk's writing is amazing, my favourite author, Pulitzer Prize winner, and marvelous story teller. If I had extra copies, I would send them to you.

This essay reminded me of the books. I think I will start the The Hope as soon as I close the cover on my current read.