Ofer Calderon marks his 54th birthday on Monday, but instead of celebrating with his four children at a picnic, he is trapped in a dark tunnel in Gaza, struggling to breathe with limited oxygen.
A year ago, just days before the release of two of his children - Erez and Sahar, who were kidnapped with him - Ofer spent his 53rd birthday knowing that his children would soon be returned home, the greatest gift he could ask for.
"Ofer is a very warm, very homely person," says his cousin, Eyal Calderon. "He is deeply involved in the lives of his children. It’s not a cliché - he is a present father to each of them." Eyal recalls how the Calderon family would celebrate birthdays with cake, balloons, and a picnic in nature, something Ofer cherished. "He’s a man of the outdoors: riding his bike with his team, piloting airplanes. The last place he should be is in the depths of a Gaza tunnel."
Eyal describes Ofer as a man whose captivity is a cruel contrast to his essence. "Ofer is someone who, even if you haven’t spoken in a year, will make you feel like you’ve just picked up the conversation where you left off. He brings light into any room. When he enters, everyone smiles, and you don’t even know why. He makes the atmosphere brighter, lightens the mood. He’s not just a 'hostage'; he’s a living, present person who is noticeable wherever he goes. I’m sure he carries that same spirit with him, even in the tunnels."
* Ynet contributed to this article.
