It is the Monday after the Saturday mobilization. Our nephew caught his bus at 6:00 AM for the trip back to Fort Dix for his continued training for mobilization to Iraq. Saturday's event was the last we'll see of him til a year from September! We hope and pray that he returns whole with no lasting scars either physical OR emotional. How can that be? How can a man go to fight a war, experience fear and on-going stress without some scars to show for it?
We will try to remember our last night with him before deployment in order to remember the essence of HIM while he's away, as well as to remember the man who left so that we will have this touchstone when he returns...perhaps a different man....surely a different man?!
We sat in the yard in an old Adirondack chair semi-circle facing a lawn and orchard of crabapple, pear, plum and peach trees; a flower garden staked to support growing herbs and a birdbath visited by thirsty and hot goldfinches, cardinals, and assorted other birds. The air was full of their song...peace and calm in a storm of emotions!
Read More