My Mama is an auto mechanic. They are the people who fix your car. She loves her job. One day, Mama left her job early and came home. I was surprised to see her. She kissed me and went upstairs, to her and Daddy’s room. I followed her.
When I came in, I saw her. She was quickly packing her green camouflage bag. I sat on the side of her bed and watched her put on a clean, crisp Army uniform.
“Where are you going?” I asked as she straightened her hat.
“War has broken out in the Middle East. I am going to help keep the tanks and other war machines running,” she answered.
“How long will you be gone?”
“However long it takes,” she said as she sat next to me on the bed, “just remember that whenever you look up at the moon to think of me, and know that I will be thinking of you. And, if you put a Christmas candle up in the window, I will put one in my tent. That way we will each feel each other's love when we see its light.”
I thought about this and it sounded like a good idea. But, I still didn’t like the idea of my mom going to war. I knew that whenever she left during the second weekend of every month that she was training for war -- practicing how to take apart and rebuild the tank and airplane engines that the military would use to transport soldiers and guns. I know that my Mama’s skills would be very useful in helping to win this war, but I still did not like her being so far away.
“Now,” Mama said, interrupting my thoughts, “Dad is going to need your help while I am away. He doesn’t know how to braid your sister's hair, or what you both like in your lunches. Can you help him while I am away? I know it is a lot to ask of you, but you are a big girl -- almost 11 years old, and I know I can count on you.”
She smiled at me.
“Don't worry Mama,” I replied, trying to sound convincing. “You can count on me.”
I wanted to cry as she left in a big yellow taxi while Dad, my sister, and I waved goodbye on the front porch. But, I was almost 11 years old, too big to cry. Besides, I knew my little sister would cry if she saw me crying.
Later that night, I found one of our battery-operated Christmas candles. I turned it on, and placed it on my windowsill. When Dad came in to say good night, he asked why I had gotten it out. I told him what mom had said to me, and he started to cry. I was shocked to see my father cry. Just then, my sister wandered into my room, and saw Dad crying.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?” she asked.
Dad scooped both of us into his arms, and sat us down on the edge of my bed.
“It’s okay to cry, girls,” he said, “ and, whenever you miss Mama, or whenever you get scared, it’s okay to talk to me about it, Alright?”
We both nodded. He tucked me into bed, and kissed me before leaving and turning out the light. But, not the light on my windowsill – he left that one on. I stared at it for a long time, thinking of Mama, before I fell asleep.
Two months have passed since Mama left to go to war. It’s summer, I am out of school, and celebrating my 11th birthday. Right before I blew out the candles on my cake, Dad asked me to make a wish. I did. It was that my mom would be home soon. We have been able to send her emails and packages in the mail, but it’s just not the same.
Just after I made my wish, my Dad smiled one of his secret smiles and left the room. He returned, carrying a plain brown cardboard box. When I opened it, inside was a miniature laptop computer. I could not believe it! A computer for my very own!
Seeing my amazement, Dad told me that this was a very special computer. It was given to us by the military, with a special program called Skype. This program would allow me to talk to my mother over a video chat – and, I couldn’t wait. I grabbed the computer, and rushed into the other room to set it up. No sooner than I had pressed the power button and logged on, was I looking at my Mama’s face. She was right there waiting. I talked to her first – then my Dad, my sister, my Grandparents, and anyone else who happened to be in the room.
She talked to me for the longest, though. She told me she was okay, and hoped to be home soon. I just knew that she was making things sound better than they were so I wouldn’t worry. But, that was okay. I was just grateful to have the best birthday present I ever could have received – a conversation with my Mama.
Later that night, the president of the United States said that he planned to have all the troops, including my Mama, home by the end of December. That is seven months away, and I know that a lot can happened between now and then, but I am so glad to know that by the time the New Year starts, my Mama and all the others who are fighting in the war will be home.
