I looked at my seven year old son as he was sleeping tonight, and I realized just what a sacrifice all the mothers of our deployed men and women are doing- they are giving ME and MY country their MOST precious resource. You are letting your son or daughter go so my son and daughters can grow up free and safe. And better yet, your children are willing to do this for people they don't even know. I can't imagine a bigger sacrifice that an individual can make.
Somehow it makes me feel so inadequate- sitting here in my safe house watching my safe TV. All I can offer are some prayers, some letters, a small care package or two. How does that equate with what you are sacrificing? How will I ever make it up to those who's sons or daughters don't come back? I guess the only way I can even try is to use the gift you've given me wisely- to appreciate my freedoms and rights and priviledges. To take time to be thankful for my family, my house, my life! It is so easy to take for granted all our country offers us. No, I don't always agree with the politicians (and I seriously worry about any one who ALWAYS does), I don't like paying more taxes than I think I should have to pay, I don't like the way some things are run or the way this or that is managed.....but the important thing is that I can voice my opinion, I CAN disagree, and I can work to change things- I can do these things in a relatively safe and secure environment. Not sure the people in Iraq (or many other countries) have these luxuries.
Thank you for the gift of your son or daughter. My family will keep the soldiers and sailors and support staff- and their families- in our daily prayers. May my children have the strength and courage to return the favor to you some day- and may the world be the kind of place that they will never have to!
