I know, three posts in a week.
No I'm not on steroids.
No HGH for me.
Just massive doses of B-12 an B-6.
This one is going to be plain and simple.
Black and white.
No pictures, no guilt trips, just a bearing of the soul.
I had a message in my email that someone had pinned my "Bravenet" guest map.
You've seen it.
Over there on the right, in the sidebar.
Those of you who haven't taken the time to stick a pin in it, would it kill ya?
But this isn't about that.
It's about the pin, and the person who placed it.
An Army mom.
I won't place her name here.
I would never do that to someone who contacts me on a personal basis.
Her name is irrelevant.
Her message touched me on many levels.
It hit me between the eyes.
I felt like I was going to pass out as I read it.
It was a simple, short message, no fancy words, no frills.
Straight to the point.
"My son was with the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment and was working under the 4th Brigade, 2nd ID in Diyala Province when he was killed on 1-9-08. My heart goes out to the familes of the two soldiers who were killed on 2-17-08".
What does one say?
I thought about this all day.
It consumed me.
I thought, how unselfish.
How gracious.
How caring.
And I thought if I was in the same situation, could I be as thoughtful.
I spent a lot of time meditating on this subject.
If my son were to be killed in action, could I be so caring as to be concerned for the families of others?
I thought, what a shame it is that so many people become so engrossed in their grief, and sometimes self pity,that they almost cease to be, and in effect, end two lives.
While I hate to even think about the unthinkable, were it to happen, I would hope that I could grieve, then go on with my life and make a difference in the lives of others experiencing the same horror,
I learned a lot last night.
One simple to the point kind message forced me to think about the unthinkable, and search my soul for answers.
I hope I learned something from her.
I pray I never have to find out.
I like to think that I would be just like her.
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great post!
ReplyDeleteyou have been tagged.
Y0ou mean I'm it?
ReplyDeleteOr I got cooties?
I"ll leave that to your imagination!
ReplyDeletecome see my message in a bottle post for details.
Wow! I read your post about Matt coming home soon. I know you don't have a date but I'm so happy for you all that it's right around the corner. I know it doesn't feel that way for you but knowing he's coming home sooner than later is a boost for us readers.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to support the pin you posted about but I think I'm not bright enough to figure out what it is I'm supposed to re post. Yes I'm a blonde - yes I'm from Texas, I may not be the brightest bulb but I make kick ass sweet tea and my heart is in the right place. Please help me out here.
Glad to see you're posting again!
Bunny
Thanks Bunny,
ReplyDeleteBeing as I am a blonde also, I know where you come from.
At 58, I am coming to that point in life where I can blame it on age.
To pin the map.
Go to the side bar. ----> over there to the right, and scroll down to just below the cost of the war counter. You'll see two buttons.
The lower one say's "Bravenet Guestmaps". The one above is flashing click here. Click on it and follow the directions.
Thank you for your well wishes for Matt, and kind words.
If you are fortunate enough to not have anyone serving in Iraq, you probably will never know how much your thoughts and words of encouragement mean to us.
May God bless you.
Hi again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help with the pin. I think I did it right, but the pin was much bigger than the country I'm in.
I can't imagine trying to pin one on a group of 3 or 4 tiny countries, but it was fun. No one knows who I am, so they won't know if I messed up and put the pin in the wrong place anyway lol.
At 58 it seems you have a bit more time until you can move the blame from blonde to old age but it is something to look forward to. Just think... We when get older we can blame it on our eye site, our coordination, our forgetfulness or any number of things. That opens a lot more doors all the way around, much better than "I have a super low IQ" or "I'm blonde".
I had family in Iraq when the war started but they've all come home safe and sound. We were lucky.
Bunny
Thanks Bunny,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be close to where you are in a month or so.
Going to Mexico.
Almost went to El-Salvadore with a group from my Rotary club last week, but I've been to busy to take the time away from the office.
Stay in touch.
Where in Mexico? I like some places in Mexico but I like here much better.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever make it down to our neck of the woods you have a bed to lay your boots beside.
We're going to Puerto Vallarta for a week.
ReplyDeleteNeed some sand and sun after the miserable winter we've had here.
Three words, swim up bar...
Thanks Bunny.