The Legacy of My 14-Year-Old Son: Always See the Glass Half Full

"Until two weeks ago, I felt life was entirely under my control, a workaholic working late hours as a senior financial officer, but in that moment, I felt my life ended," Pesi Monc begins her story for ynet. "Almost eight years have passed, yet that moment is etched in my heart as if it happened yesterday: life before, the illness, and life after."

Pesi's second son, Gabi, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14. After a ten-month battle with a particularly aggressive tumor, Gabi passed away, leaving a vast void in the hearts of those around him. "Gabi was the second of my children. A handsome child, tall for his age, talented and graceful. When Gabi became ill, we fought. We lived almost ten months within the hospital walls, surrounded by many organizations wanting to help Gabi and us, doing a sacred task. The black hole formed during the shiva. Representatives from various organizations came to bid us farewell," Pesi recalls.

"The day after, we were left, practically alone, without emotional or financial support. My frustration as a parent was immense: 'How did I fail to keep him safe?' There were days when I couldn't breathe. Surviving the moment seemed impossible. I decided to break the day into minutes and try to get through them. Every day that passed was a success for me."

"Despite everything, I resolved that I would rise, return to life, and try to make the most of it, even though I had no idea how to do so," Pesi shares the resolve that sprang up during those difficult days. "Seven years have passed since Gabi passed away, full of upheavals, a home move, a job change. Two years ago, feeling we could help others, my husband and I decided to act."

"The reality of no support for bereaved families seemed absurd. We established the 'Rise' organization – aiding families who have lost children to illnesses. I decided to leave my position as an accountant and fully dedicate myself to the organization, which operates entirely on a volunteer basis, with no salaries whatsoever."

Pesi shares the legacy left by her son, Gabi, two months before his death. "Two months before his death, we returned from radiation treatment in the U.S. His physical condition worsened. As soon as we returned, a C.T scan showed the disease had spread. Unfortunately, in a single moment that day, Gabi lost sensation from the waist down. The tumor spread to his nervous system."

"The doctor summoned me to his office and said one word: 'two months'. With this dire news, I returned to the hospice in Tel Hashomer with a stoic face. The child must not know. Hope must not be lost. The room was full of friends. It was the intermediate days of Sukkot. Gabi lay in his bed, suffering physically, mainly mentally, fully aware of his condition. In the evening, when friends left and we were alone in the room, Gabi asked about the C.T results."

"I, of course, couldn't dare tell him the truth. I said there was no worsening in the C.T. An hour later, I told Gabi I wanted to leave the room to pray the evening prayer. Gabi thought he was alone in the room. He didn't realize I stood behind the curtain, to keep an eye on him as needed."

"I opened the prayer book and heard Gabi praying aloud. I looked at him. He was staring at the ceiling and said, 'Master of the Universe, I've learned from my father that one must always look at the glass half full, so I wish to thank You,' 'thank you that there was no worsening in the C.T.' I have no idea why Gabi chose to pray aloud that night. But what he said will remain in my heart as long as I live," Pesi recounts her son's legacy.

Every year, around a hundred children in Israel die from diseases. The difficulty and pain make it hard for most parents to return to work, resulting in significant financial debts. It is a never-ending fracture that often comes after years of struggle and experimental treatments for the child's recovery. This results in many families breaking apart, parents divorcing, and siblings getting lost.

'Rise' was established about two years ago and is the only organization assisting families who have lost children to diseases. For the families, seeking help from 'Rise' means a lifeline back to living. The organization helps fund psychological treatments, conducts monthly strengthening meetings, mother’s journeys, family trips, and more.

For an extensive interview with Pesi Monk on the 'Hidabroot' website, click here.