Quote:
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I love you… you are my only son… I love you…be safe, I love you…..
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The words above are some of the biggest I have ever read. They're so large, I honestly cannot read them out loud. They remind me of a bumper sticker I saw the other day. It was on a mini van driven by a middle aged lady. She like her car was very non descript, but the bumper sticker and the service decal leaped out at me. It read: Half of my heart is in Iraq. The power of the few words was immense. She may be still wondering why I was enthusiastically waving and giving her the thumbs up. Seeing my reaction, a few other commuters stared at me like I was a freak.
They were right. In today's world, if you have a son or daughter deployed they represent less then 1% of the population. I'm proud to be one.
Both my sons are back, and the recent homecoming for the oldest at the green ramp was almost overwhelming. As we waited by the tarmac, I looked around and felt good about the people I was associated with, even if it was for only a short time. The tired faces of the parents who had traveled far; the young excited faces of wives and girlfriends who could finally release the tension they has lived with for so long. Some were strained as if wondering how the homecoming would go. Most were tear stained. I felt sanctified, set apart from the press and the liberal BS. It was a privilege and an honor to welcome home these boys who were so heroic in their deeds and so selfless in their motivation.
During the deployments it wasn't always so easy. My wife lost it once, overcome by the intense emotions only a mother can truly feel. The kind of emotions that seem to emanate from the earth itself leaving a husband feeling helpless its presence. After listening to her fears, I searched for my own path. Sometimes the jungle is so thick you have bend down in order to see the light and find the path. Mine was as follows:
I believe as Christians and Americans, we have a duty to serve our country. My sons are doing their duty. If God decides their time has come, I'm at peace with his decision.
Penn, thanks for the post. Ihope you find the place that can provide solitude. I pray your son does well during his deployment and comes home safe. Please give him my thanks.
Dennis