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Blogs by Patricia A. Oplinger
Freedom 7/3/2010 7:02:19 AM
Freedom isn't Fourth of July. Freedom isn't Fourth of July, it's fireworks; not war it's battles
Struggles and confusions losses and gains strangers and newness advancing and retreating photographs and memories
Self-reliance isn't landings, missions and doctrines; it's philosophy, long-held beliefs, influence and guidance, daily routines
Not control, but compassion, loyalty and support, probability and outcome Not ordinance, but ordinary winning and losing
The wounded move on walkers and canes Then martyrs, now heroes, Then defeated, now victorious Inevitably, some prisoners
Pride, though little pomp and circumstance smiles tears joy depression
Careful shuffling has replaced lightning-like strikes Casualties, death and dying remain as do sense and nonsense
Time was when battle scars healed Sequence was infliction . . . attention . . . restoration no more
Today's battles on the field of life mean infliction . . . attention . . . deterioration Unwelcome short circuits are frequent, whimsical choices supercede rapid-fire decisions
They wear nonmilitary uniforms Crisp stars, bars and stripes replaced by scars, snipes, and gripes Military bearing in this place is disguised as stooped shoulders, rounded bellies
Yet, self-esteem and pride are alive in the faces of these old foot soldiers; their voices are filled with determination and muttered prayers Male and female alike, they attack with eyes focused on the enemy-- time
Sounds of today's skirmishes diminish Night falls over the encampment Familiar sighs, sudden sleep, restful breathing Darkness silences fears and frustrations Dreams offer scenes of past glories One small victory over assisted living, nursing care
Quietness on this new front is achieved at least for a few hours . . . until dawn.
