A chat with Yohalan

I had a chat with Madam Yohalan today. It was a conclusion meeting to my service. I asked for it. I even brought her a gift, a small Psalms book with leather cover that has a quote from the book on it about succeeding in everything one does. I thought it'd be perfect for her, because she comes from a religious home and still has strong roots in Judism, it was beautiful, it was dignified the way a woman her status deserves and the quote fitted what I wanted to wish her - success in everything she does.

First of all, she loved the book. She said it was small enough to be able to put in your pocket but big enough to be able to read in, so she will use it, she said. I was glad to hear that. Then, I went on to say everything that was on my mind. And I am NOT a kiss-ass. I said I admired her. I looked up to her. That she made a difference in my life. That I learned a lot from her. That I was fortunate to have served under her command. And that one day, I hope I could call her "General Yehudit Grisaso". At that she laughed her infectious laugh. I told her I admired the way she could be a career woman who pushes forward and leads the way to others, and still be a wife and a mother and make it all seem so easy. She took it all in her usual modesty. Not boasting. Not nodding. Just taking in all in, humble.

She had told me she was happy my service experience was better thanks to her, and told me of a friend-of-a-friend who had a rotten service experience and carried it with her till this day, and how her daughter is having a hard time at the army too and that she was glad this wasn't the case for me. She said she was proud of how much I've grown as a person and gained confidence these past 2 years. Said my work skills have always been excellent but she was glad I had opened up more. It made me think back of the first time I connected a call for her. I was so nervous I'd screw up that I went uber-formal on her and she said "Yaara! So formal! I almost saluted you". That made all the nerves go away and went down in history as the first quote in my little "quotes of Yohalan" collection.

Then she talked about what I wanted to do with my future and we briefly discussed universities. We concluded the conversation by wishing one another luck, and she asked me for a hug. I obliged. It felt nice. It felt like I finally got to properly say goodbye to her. When she left the senior personnel department, I never got to properly say goodbye to her. I was gutted. So I'm glad I had this chance to do this right.

So thank you, Yehudit, for make the last 2 years slightly better. For teaching me a lot. For inspiring me. For being a role model without even realizing it. For making an impact on my life. You'll always be remembered as an amazing woman, an amazing officer and an amazing commander. You're one of the people that changed my life around and I will always and forever be grateful to you. Thank you.