A teddy bear, once belonging to the family’s deceased daughter, has become a source of comfort for Gillian Brisley as she watched her son-in-law Eli Sharabi being released from captivity on Saturday. The bear was a tangible link between the Brisleys and events in the Middle East, serving as a reminder of everything they’ve suffered since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Eli’s release was met with mixed emotions for the family, who were relieved to see their son-in-law safe but also struggled with grief over the loss of their daughter, Lianne, and teenage granddaughters, Noiya and Yahel. The bear, which once belonged to Lianne, now provides a physical connection to her that they can’t experience in real life.
Gillian Brisley clutched the bear to her chest as she watched Eli’s release on TV, finding solace in its presence. Her brother Stephen said the bear has become a cathartic experience for her, allowing her to speak to Lianne as though she were still alive. The family’s faith in finding comfort in the teddy bear is an act of hope amidst their ongoing grief and uncertainty over Eli’s well-being after his 490-day captivity.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/teddy-bear-helps-hostages-british-family-terms-grief-118607272