A Soldier's Homecoming

This is our soldier and this is where 9-11 sent him. Today I saw soldier's returning home from Iraq on a two week furlough. These men fighting the same effects of 9-11 that Bo fought all those years ago. These men young and old have the same determined look in their eyes that our soldier had in his. They are dedicated, committed, strong and yes, scared. They long to be home, but are overwhelmed as soon as they walk off that plane. They want the best for their families all the while the concern for their comrades never waviers.

Their here, but their not. Many families will struggle during this return home, many will suffer much. As I spoke with each of these soldiers their first comment was "It's really hard on the family left behind." They are speaking of their family here and their family in Iraq. Soldiers are families, they are brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers in arms. They are the people who give their lives for each other without a second's hesistation.

During the time these soldiers are home, they will have to get used to civilian clothes, neighborhood sounds, a ringing telephone, a baby crying, violence in our communities. They will sleep next to a warm, loving wife for the first time in seven months and they will hear a heartbeat other than their own. They will have the chance to eat their favorite foods and find that it may or may not be all they remember. They will want to shut everything and everyone out, grab a beer, hold their wives and cry. Let them.

Sometimes in the middle of the night they may get up and clear the house of insurgents. They may have night terrors, night sweats and heart palpitations, or they may just be quiet.

When I looked into the eyes of each of these soldiers, I saw the same thing I saw time and time again with Bo - wounded, frightened, hurt, broken yet strong men who were standing in front of the people they loved trying with everything they had to soldier thru it.

As a soldier's Mother my heart broke in two as I watched each of these brave men, because the healing is so long and hard in coming. It is possible, but it is only by GOD's grace which is sufficient for all that healing will happen.

Welcome Home Soldiers - Our prayers continue for you and your families not just today but everyday.