Shira Garden

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(by Dana Shani):
Shira Meroz Kot was born as the summer was beginning, in April 1974, on Kibbutz Beit Hashita, during the calm days that followed the storm. . .. when torn hearts were trying to mend. Two years earlier, her brother Hod was killed in a car accident . . . he was only 4. Shira came into this world to be a ray of light, a source of hope. And she was. She was like a blossoming flower.
During high school, Shira divided her time between her studies and working at the kibbutz petting zoo. She loved to run wild, to break out of the walls of the classroom and into the bright open spaces, and to gently and lovingly take care of the animals.
In the army she served as a social worker, and devotedly took care of her soldiers. She met the love of her life, Shai, and they were soon married. She was a beautiful young woman, filled with dreams, but bound by a sense of responsibility.
At first Shai and Shira live on the kibbutz as a couple, and then move to Tel Aviv to try life in the big city. Six months after leaving the kibbutz, they are excited by their adventure, enjoying the quick pace of city life. Shira finds a job at an advertising firm.
Wednesday morning, the 19th of October 1994, Shira wakes up as usual, takes a shower, puts on a pair of black pants and a light, woven shirt. She drinks a cup of instant coffee – milk, no sugar — and leaves for work. She heads to the corner of Rothschild Boulevard gets on the #5 Bus. At the central bus station, a terrorist carrying two large black bags boards the bus. The bus travels north along Dizengoff Street, and just after passing Dizengoff Square, the terrorist detonates the explosives that were hidden in his bags.
Shira was one of the 22 passengers who were killed that day