Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Photo of the kid


Some of you have already seen this picture in the mass e-mailing I did about 2 seconds after I had it in my grubby little hands. Sorry for the duplication, I'll throw in some new and improved notes along with what you already know.

There's my kid! My first Brian-siting since this was taken! There he is (on the right), yayyyy!

Coincidentally, his father (J) teaches a few courses at Fort Leonard Wood now and again. He had to go down there this weekend, and he and Bri's stepmom (M) got to spend about 45 minutes with Brian on Saturday afternoon.

I was helping Ilaiy shop (for t-shirts, what else?) when J&M called to give me the report on Brian. He looked so great, he's doing very well, and seems happy there. They would meet him again for church the next morning.

I have a confession to make.

I am rarely jealous. In fact, I can't really think of a time when I've envied another person, let alone harbor ill will against them for something they have and I don't. But while I smiled through hearing how great my kid is doing, it took all I had not to smash my cel phone on the floor, and follow this little kid's lead:


I admit it. For a split second there, I wanted to throw myself on the ground and kick and scream, "how come YOU get to see him? You get all the good stuff! Everything happens to me! No FAIR!"

But I didn't. I teared up, but knocked it off soon enough to beg for copies of photos.

And when J stopped by my workplace yesterday, I hadn't a shred of jealousy left, but mere gratitude for his kindness, for thinking of me, and knowing how bad I wanted to see those pictures. I wanted to pick him up and swing him around in a big hug, while he gleefully told me all he got to talk about with Brian. I want to hear everything, as usual.

He is going to Fort Benning, GA next. It is his station for 4 years, but there is, of course, no guarantee that he'll stay there.

The other guy in the pic is one of his best friends, "Hall." I talked to Brian last night, and he told me some about the young man he's pictured with. He said "our faces and hands are tan, but the rest of us shiny white."

They wear this garb all day long, sleeves and all, in near-100-deg. heat, doing push-ups in the sun, at 1:00 in the afternoon. He has 4 sets of this uniform, laundry goes out Tues and Thursday.

His friend Hall is leaving the day of graduation, going to desert training, and, after a brief stay with his family, is stationed in Iraq. Knowing this, that photo becomes even more bittersweet. I am nauseous, and scared for his family, and guilty about my own dumb luck. I pray for a big happy reunion 4 years from now, with his family and ours. I pray for comfort for his mother and father, and safety in his own life.

And for an end to this war, ohhh, for an end to it.

15 comments:

  1. Funny AND so touching (as almost all of your blogs are).

    I'm so happy for his (and your) luck!

    I also pray for all of the soldiers and their families and for an end to this war. It can't end soon enough!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi gnightgirl! Q.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm new here so I didn't know you had a son in the military. This was a great post. I hope you're okay.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great pic. Georgia not Iraq, very lucky! I'm so happy for him (& mom)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much for sharing the pictures, and of course your emotions.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Funny how things like jealousy can go away when you get to share something you really want.

    As far as ending the war - I'm working on it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Been there...My Ex while we were still married got shipped off to Iraq for 18 months right in the midst of dealing with my daughter's brand new diagnosis...::sigh::

    You are very very brave for holding up so well!!!

    My prayers are also present for this senseless war to end.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are a BRAVE and obviously VERY proud mom! I felt privileged to have been placed on the photo mass e-mailing list! Thanks for putting me in such esteemed company!

    Hang in there, you!

    Janet

    (lordcelery.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Momo: Prayaway!

    Hi Quasar!

    Jack: he's handsome, isn't he?

    Laurie: Thank you. I'm fine, excited to see him in 2-3 more weeks!

    Jodie: thanks.

    Nancy: Your welcome. I got a million of them (pix AND emotions!)

    Barry: Thank YOU, for all that you do! We mom's love you for it!

    MaryP: Can't imagine sending a spouse off either. You're a strong one.

    Janet: Thanks, anytime, will keep you posted! (HEY everybody, Janet just had a birthday, go wish her a belated!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh. Way to wring out my heart kid. Good luck. BTW I guess this qualifies Brian for HNT!

    ReplyDelete
  11. We are both, on this day, on our own for the first times in our lives.

    [sniff]

    My allergies must be acting up. That must be the reason for these tears.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous12:52 AM

    "siting" or sighting? Let me explain -- I spent the last 15 years of my life working in a law office proof reading legal documents! I can't stop! I proofread menus, graffiti, highway signs, buildings, newspapers, magazines, instructions for build-it-yourself furniture, tattoos, and T-shirts! Show me the way to Proofreaders Anonymous!

    AZ

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous9:17 AM

    I just love that photo.I knew you would post it soon

    ReplyDelete
  14. Send that boy some sunscreen!!!!
    He looks great, and he is beeming with pride. Thank goodness basic training is almost over!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fort Benning. Excellent. I know, no guarantees. But a good start. I ache for Hall's family too. It's all beyond my imagination.

    Honestly, I freaking out that my boys want to go to 2 weeks of overnight camp next summer.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your pix.

    ReplyDelete

Back talk! Comment here!