"Today You Were Supposed to Celebrate a Halaka": Mother of Child Who Was Forgotten in a Car in a Heartfelt Post

Bereaved mother Odia Weingott, whose son Elia was forgotten in a car on one of the hottest days of the year, published an emotional post on social media mourning the untimely passing of her beloved son, sharing with readers the feelings in her heart: "Elia, my beloved, my child, my life's angel. Today you are turning three. Today we were supposed to travel together and celebrate your Halaka in Meron, as is our tradition, with the entire extended family."

"I imagine your beautiful, pure face, and I completely believe that such a haircut would fit you perfectly. A second birthday that I'm celebrating for you, but not with you. It's hard, very hard. It's unimaginable and difficult to come to terms with."

Weingott continues to write that for the rest of the world, time heals and does its part. But for a bereaved mother - "If only I could shout to everyone that it's nonsense and that time is cruel. Day by day you occupy more and more space in all of us, and there's not a day you don't receive a kiss from your younger siblings. There's not a day you're not talked about and to, and every child's smile or laughter reminds me of you."

"There's not a day I don't want to cry and try to hold back. I try to find strength by remembering your melting smile, the one that captivated everyone with those adorable dimples. The smile reminds me you want me to be strong, happy, and joyful. I try - even though I often break, but then I immediately feel you holding me. And there, at those exact moments, I want to hug you and say thank you. Thank you for being part of my life, thank you that you still are, thank you that you will forever be the most significant part of my life."

"Happy birthday, love of my heart. I have no doubt that you are surrounded by an ocean of love, and I'm sure they are celebrating you in a way I might not have been able to. If only I were with you just to know you are okay, happy, and joyful. Watch over us from the children's garden above, strengthen me because only you can send me strength. I promise that the gifts I send you every day are gifts that no mother could send or give. You are the child I asked for, the one I always dreamed of. I miss you, my angel, in terms that have long lost the capacity for expression. I love you."

Listen to the interview with Elia's father, Yitzhak Weingott: