Dedicated to all who serve or have served, especially to a son-in-law who had to answer some tough questions in 2004 and to my daughter who knew what to say.
'Daddy Wen Ya Comin Home'
Crayoned kisses and penciled hugs
in crumpled paper wishes, scribbled words
that let him drift upon the hot desert wind
to another place, cool and inviting
as a breeze in springtime.. Home!
His dust-covered face is streaked
with tears of joy, tears of sadness,
and, yes, tears of pride....
'deer daddy
mattie haz a toofus daddy
he bite me
mommy crys
i hug her daddy like you tole me to
nanna say i am a lil man
dont no why
nanna crys to
poppa to but dont tell i tole you
i dont cry daddy
but daddy wen you comin home
i luv you
timmy'
He folds the treasured words,
tucking them away in his pocket
as gently as they are held in his heart.
Six months, two weeks, and four days...
'daddy wen ya comin home'
His son's question reminds him
of those days before he left his family
to do his duty here... this job his country
asks of him.. the one his pride demands.
'daddy why ya haf to go'
He didn't know how to answer then
but she did.. the woman whose spirit
touches him every moment of every day...
his lady... his wife.
She knew what their little boy needed to hear...
'We can't all and some just don't,
That's all there is to it.
But Daddy does what others won't
Because his heart tells him to do it.'
He'll answer the letter tonight as he watches
the sun fade beyond the horizon
into the western sky
where the winds of springtime blow
and he'll write...
'Its okay to cry Timmy.
Daddy cries too.
Mattie doesn't mean to hurt you.
He's only a baby.
Tell Nanna and Poppa that I love them.
Keep hugging Mommy for me.
Daddy will be home as soon as he can, Son.
I love you,
Daddy'
And as he picks up his gun
to join his comrades
the words of his wife
fill his soul.
In the hot desert winds he hears..
'We can't all and some just don't,
That's all there is to it.
But Daddy does what others won't
Because his heart tells him to do it.'
You are not a 'simple' person, Myrna, but you have a marvelous capacity and talent to put the complicated into simple words. In this masterful work, you simpllfy the complications of the Iraq War. First and foremost, it is a war of young and old human beings, caught up in mortal combat for godless reasons. But you pen for us the human price we pay to keep the dogs of war away from America's shore. God bless your kinsman for his military service, and blessings on thaose who wait until such duty is done.
- Bill
Oh my talk about creating tears....this done it...makes me think of a little boy in my classroom, the other day he just started to cry, I thought it was due to not completing his math assignment...when I went over to console him, I told him that it was okay, he could finish his math the following day..that's when he leaned up with his beautiful brown eyes and said..."It's not that Mrs. Bowling...I miss my daddy, do you know when he's coming home?" I gave him a hug and ensured him that even though his daddy was far away, that he was always in his daddy's heart and his thoughts...and he would be home just as soon as his job was done...you've penned a powerful write my friend...can't wait to read more of your work.
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Armageddon, a fact-based historical novel, is the third book of The First Strike Trilogy: A high-stakes race against time and politics unfolds in this gripping historical account of SIOP-62, revisit the tension of a pending nuclear attack, at a time
Armageddon, a fact-based historical novel, is the third book of The First Strike Trilogy: A high-stakes race against time and politics unfolds in this gripping historical account of SIOP-62, revisit the tension of a pending nuclear attack, at a time
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- Bill
Rusty
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling