Sarah, thank you for this. My heart hurts on many levels over the actions taken this past weekend, and for so many more. Folks cheering on the attacks have no idea what they are asking from the young men and women in our armed forces and the families back home who love them. Will we ever learn that you cannot find shalom through war?
In 1991, our just turned 18 year old son was sent to Iraq for combat in the first Gulf War. Yes. He enlisted, proudly saying he wanted to defend our country and the freedoms we are supposed to represent. He came home forever changed. I'd like to share what I wrote after he returned. I hoe you don't mind me sharing.
Sarah, thank you for this. My heart hurts on many levels over the actions taken this past weekend, and for so many more. Folks cheering on the attacks have no idea what they are asking from the young men and women in our armed forces and the families back home who love them. Will we ever learn that you cannot find shalom through war?
In 1991, our just turned 18 year old son was sent to Iraq for combat in the first Gulf War. Yes. He enlisted, proudly saying he wanted to defend our country and the freedoms we are supposed to represent. He came home forever changed. I'd like to share what I wrote after he returned. I hoe you don't mind me sharing.
My Son Came Home from War Today
May 9, 1991
My son came home from war today.
He kept his promise-
all in one piece, breathing.
He loved his dog; held
her close as he’s
always done
before, after being away.
He played his music,
bought a car,
but only went to see
one friend or
two. He looks older, stronger, lean
and thoroughly capable of
impossible things. But
his laugh is slow, his
eyes are tired and
focused on a distant dance
that lives in
his heart and beats
an organized drum in intricate rhythms,
impossible rhythms.
And daddy, always
the singer, cries
silently for the
melody of a lifetime, so
the drums will beat no more.
My son came home from war today.
and no song will work
but his own,
and I’m afraid I’ve
never allowed him to sing…