My Soldier, Written for a writing assignment at Louisiana Tech, just as my son found out he was going to Iraq. Thank God, he made it back home a year later.

Seperation from family during time of war can be devastating to a young soldier who has never been this far away from home.  A soldier sits with his comrades during a break from combat, if there are any breaks from combat in Iraq.  My soldier sits with eyes closed, his letter brought up to his face as if experiencing and remembering the smell and touch of his wife at home.  No one else exists at this moment but the two of them, even though others are near by, feeling the same emotions.  This war has torn a family apart for at least a year, maybe forever, changing the lives of everyone connected to this young man.

My soldier sits alone, among his comrades soaking up memories from home, wishing he could see his family.  His thoughts of his wife and two kids are what keeps him going through endless nights of bombs going off and sniper fire flying past him.  The love that his letters bring is kept close to his heart at all times in the front pocket of his tee shirt.  He knows from her letters that although she is trying to be brave, life without him is taking its toll on  his young family back home.  As each morning breaks, he starts his day with a prayer and the determination to get through this hell and back home to those he loves.

My soldier has spent many sleepless nights fighting the enemy along with his fellow soldiers.  In war time there is no moment that can go unguarded.  Whhile he sleeps, others are keeping watch in case an unexpected attack occurs.  Mail time can come between ferocious fighting and getting a letter from home helps to take the sting out of seeing one of his comrades fall in battle.  The smell of the letter from his wife at a moment like this is like going home again, even if its just for a split second in his memory.

My son, Michael, has been activated to go to Iraq.  My soldier in this picture could be Michael.  Coming to terms with this seperation is very hard for all of us.  Last night, after the phone call from the guard, we all cried.  Not knowing the outcome of a situation is the hardest of all.  I hugged and kissed my son and told him that I loved him.  I'll never forget his words when he said, "I'll be home Mom."  We were all trying not to break down, but the tears came.  No one got much sleep that night.  Visions of life without our soldier were almost unbearable.  My soldier in the picture could be Michael, because the turmoil of seperation is the same for all those that are put to this test.

Mail call for a soldier is what he lives for while away at war.  Nothing else matters but staying alive and returning home to his family.  Little peices of paper, with a well recognized handwriting are like hearing words of comfort and encouragement whispered in his ear.  As my soldier sits with letter in hand he knows that his wife and children are waiting and praying that they will be together soon.