"No matter what gifts she receives or how many times I call, I know the only thing she wants is something I have no control over, and that’s the safe return of her son from Afghanistan."
Absolutely. From the night I watched my mother wave good-bye as our bus pulled away from Detroit's Fort Wayne Induction station, I knew that was her only wish. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a mother of son or daughter off to war.
As for kids in foreign lands. Yes, they can be aggressive at times, but they can also be loyal friends. I had a little clique of them who would warn me of any and all dangers in my path. I was able to take time with them, on duty and off duty, to get to know them and they me. Kids' minds are no so cluttered with politics as adults, they see you for what you are very quickly. And if you look carefully, you will see a freshness that seems missing from more fortunate children. What evolves is something called "Trust."
The kids are some of the happy memories, even from dark times, that I recall with a warm sensation each and every time their faces come to mind. Even the devilish ones who always had to test you.
And yes, in my opinion, if you can walk down a street or alleyway with the power of life and death in your hands and the children flock to you...you are doing something, if not everything, right. If you pay attention they will tell you things you just need to know...at the same time you are showing them things they need to know about where you come from. It is almost symbiotic.
And now I will be quiet for a while.
ReplyDelete"No matter what gifts she receives or how many times I call, I know the only thing she wants is something I have no control over, and that’s the safe return of her son from Afghanistan."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. From the night I watched my mother wave good-bye as our bus pulled away from Detroit's Fort Wayne Induction station, I knew that was her only wish. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a mother of son or daughter off to war.
As for kids in foreign lands. Yes, they can be aggressive at times, but they can also be loyal friends. I had a little clique of them who would warn me of any and all dangers in my path. I was able to take time with them, on duty and off duty, to get to know them and they me. Kids' minds are no so cluttered with politics as adults, they see you for what you are very quickly. And if you look carefully, you will see a freshness that seems missing from more fortunate children. What evolves is something called "Trust."
The kids are some of the happy memories, even from dark times, that I recall with a warm sensation each and every time their faces come to mind. Even the devilish ones who always had to test you.
And yes, in my opinion, if you can walk down a street or alleyway with the power of life and death in your hands and the children flock to you...you are doing something, if not everything, right. If you pay attention they will tell you things you just need to know...at the same time you are showing them things they need to know about where you come from. It is almost symbiotic.
I enjoyed your comment very much Aridog. Thank you.
ReplyDelete