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A few more veterans take up a spot in my heart


Since my son joined the Army   The day my son was deployed to Afghanistan, I began to comprehend a bit of the selflessness men and women of the military when they sign on the dotted line and take their oath to do Uncle Sam’s service. Before being deployed, my son and I talked about the possibility of death, loss of a limb(s), and what war can do to one’s psyche. In the six weeks that he has been over there, death and loss of limb of became a bit more real to me as I came into contact with both. Today, visiting the psych ward at the local VA hospital as a Blue Star Mother, I began to understand a bit more. I had the opportunity to serve them, sit and chat for a bit, and to join them in song. A little bit of each one of them will stay with me.

To the man who talked to me every time I walked by:
Even though I couldn’t understand most of the words you said, the smile in your eyes spoke volumes. Thank you for reaching out to me and taking the time to testify. At the end of our visit, the liaison from the hospital told me that was the clearest you have spoken. The sound of your hallelujah still rings in my ears. Thank you for speaking up.

To the woman from North Carolina:
Collard greens. My one and only attempt at making them was a complete failure. Thank you for taking the time to walk me through the process. Cook them in fatback until they can’t be cooked any more. You reminded me of the importance of patience. Thank you.

To the man with the voice of an angel:
You asked me about where my son was after you overheard me saying he was deployed. Upon my answer, your eyes filled with tears and you laid your head on the table. That is no place for those boys. Thank you for your prayers of safety for him.

To my singing partner at the back table:
I know your heart was filled in song as you followed along with the words as we sang. Your hair is a pretty color. You were the first person to chat with me today. Your smile lit up the room as you took off your socks, wiggled your toes, and encased your feet in your present – socks. Thank you for your genuineness.

To the man who spoke up for his friend:
You stopped me. Can you get him some more chips? You didn’t speak much, but your kindness and thoughtfulness of others shined through. You came back after going to get your medicine. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do for you.

To the man who watched me sing:
While the other mothers were cleaning up, you told me a bit about Vietnam after hearing about my son. It was hand-to-hand combat. None of these smart bombs they have today. Today they program it all with technology. We talked for another five minutes or so. Thank you for sharing some of your story with me.

To the man who couldn’t get enough cake:
Can I get another piece of cake? I brought you one and you took it with a smile. Can I get another piece of cake? A mischievous gleam in your eye as you asked. You wouldn’t take the carrots or celery I offered you. I need it. It’s good for me. Smiling through each of the ten ways you asked for a third piece. Thank you for taking the time to laugh with me.

To the man with the dreads:
As the patients started going back to their rooms, you remained and talked with me. A Marine before the dreads began to grow. We talked about your dream job – to analyze and make things better. When blood gets on your hands, you see things in a different way. You need to find your own spirituality to deal with it. May you find peace in your journey. You left me with some words of wisdom about the bad boys in my classroom. Sometimes they have seen way too much at an early age. They need to be talked to in a real-life way. The special teachers become like mommas to them. I bet you are to them. Spirituality. A word I have been hearing a lot the last few weeks. As I continue my journey to find my spirituality and inner peace,  I thank you for the dialogue.

To those reading this blog:
I had the honor of paying a bit back to some of the men and women who have served our country. The nurse told us our simple visit will enhance their spirits for a few days. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like being on a locked ward for days, weeks, months on end. It isn’t just the veterans that need us to remember and reach out to them with a smile and some conversation. It isn’t just during the holiday season that we should go out of our way to spread goodwill to all. I challenge each one of us to spread kindness all year long.

THANK YOU VETERANS!

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