In Memory of Ayelet

I often wonder if the technological advances of the last ten years are really beneficial. Particularly with all the social networking, it sometimes feels like we are too connected. No one needs to pick up the phone anymore because so much vital information is communicated publicly as status messages or tweets. The younger generations have literally grown up on the internet. Privacy requires an incredible amount of hard work and sometimes I worry about the impact it's having on all of us.

But then there are the times when I realize how amazing it is to be instantly connected to a world of people. The opportunity to get back in touch with friends and acquaintances with whom I've lost contact is an incredible thing. I am actively involved in the lives of people I knew over a decade ago solely because we have found each other online. There is no question that these relationships would have petered out completely if not for Facebook reintroducing us. It is really quite special.

But nothing, absolutely nothing, can compare to the way the cyber-network of the world brought together a community in prayer and in hope for Ayelet Galena. A beautiful 2-year-old girl, who I never had the privilege of knowing personally, Ayelet engaged in an epic battle for her life after receiving a bone marrow transplant in August 2011. Through blog entries, status updates and photos, Ayelet's family kept a world of admirers in the loop as to all her ups and downs.

I can only imagine the impact these posts had on Ayelet's family - being able to share their highs and lows with thousands and thousands of people all at once. But I don't have to imagine to know the effect these posts had on those of us on the outside. Never before have I seen a greater coming together of people for a common goal. Regardless of religious affiliation, gender, race or ethnicity, people around the globe were pouring out their heartfelt wishes and prayers for Ayelet every moment of the day. Sharing status messages and "liking" positive updates - people were inspired every day by the strength of this little girl and her unwavering will to live.

And then, this morning, the unbearable news was shared. The status message that so many have feared for so long. After months of holding on, of doing everything she possibly could, Ayelet's body finally stopped fighting. It is incredible to feel such a profound sense of loss for a family that so many of us don't know personally, and yet we do. By letting us in to their lives, the Galena family has created a united community. We celebrated their successes and now we mourn their great loss. In a world that is so divided, this one little girl has united so many.

May Ayelet's legacy live on and inspire the fight in all of us.