As the war in Israel rages on, I’ve wrestled with a profound guilt—guilt that I wasn’t doing my part. The natural healer in me has always sought to mend, to soothe, to repair. Yet for years, life’s currents carried me far from the nutritional supplements and herbal tinctures of my past.
This blog began as a chronicle of natural medicine—of tinctures and teas, of bodywork and plant lore. But sometimes our own lives demand a different kind of prescription. After struggling to support my family in the healing arts, I traded my lab coat for a security uniform, only to find myself longing for purpose beyond guarding gates. Those ten years in security taught me discipline and resilience, but they also taught me that no matter how steady your hands, your heart can still feel empty.
Then I found my calling again—this time in wood and metal, nails and screws. As a self-employed handyman, I discovered a unique joy in building tangible solutions, in seeing walls go up and faucets flow anew. I learned that fixing what’s broken—whether a doorframe or a leaky pipe—can echo the healing work I once did, stitching life back together one small repair at a time.
And now, another unexpected turn: I’ve returned to the IDF reserves and am deployed in the Gaza Strip. My oldest son has just been drafted, too—so today, we stand side by side, both in uniform. There’s a fierce pride that sharpens each day, but there’s also the weight of reflection:
Choosing Israel: Leaving the United States years ago felt like following my heart. I believed in this land’s promise of community, purpose, and renewal. Yet every land asks sacrifices of its people—sacrifices I’m only now beginning to fully understand.
Growing a Business: Running a handyman service means juggling schedules, budgets, and a thousand unexpected fixes. The thrill of growth propels me, but so does the fear of letting my family down. In the trenches—both literal and figurative—I’ve had to learn what truly sustains a livelihood.
Duty and Family: Watching my son don the uniform I once wore brings a swirl of emotions: pride, concern, and, yes, that old guilt. Guilt that maybe I should have stayed a healer. Guilt that maybe I should have done more earlier. Yet guilt can be a compass when it reminds us of our values.
This blog is evolving, just as I have. I’ll still draw on herbal wisdom and practical tips—after all, good remedies don’t belong in the past. But you’ll also find stories of duty and service, of fatherhood under fire, and of building a life that honors both our bodies and our souls.
Thank you for following along on this journey. In the coming weeks, I’ll share:
A behind-the-scenes look at handyman solutions for homes in conflict zones
Reflections on resilience: lessons from plant medicine and the battlefield alike
Conversations with fellow reservists, healers, and tradespeople finding new purpose
I hope these stories bring comfort, insight, and a reminder that even amid chaos, there’s room for healing—and for building something stronger, together.
— Stay safe, stay strong, stay curious.
