Webster defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. It describes TB perfectly.
TB received quite a lot of mail in that last mail delivery. One of his soldiers received nothing. TB said he knew that look. He'd had it in Iraq before he met me. One of the boxes I sent had a blanket that he's been waiting for. He gave the blanket and a few other things I sent to his soldier so he wouldn't be sad. I had my class and the other kids at school autograph a new blanket and mailed it the next day. Some of my friends have stepped up to send blankets to the group.
TB's compassion goes beyond his soldiers. He has a personal mission to make the winter easier for the locals, especially the women and children. He asked if I could get donations for blankets, warm clothes, gloves, socks, and canned food. When I think of this man who is so physically and emotionally tough reaching out to others, noticing their struggles, and doing something to help, my heart melts. How often do we see someone else suffering and shake our heads and say, "What a shame. Somebody should do something." TB doesn't let it pass, thinking that others will help. When everyone else is saying, "Not me", he's saying "I will".
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Mail Call
Days pass and I don’t post here, not because I have nothing to say, but rather because there’s so much to say that my mind is a jumble and it’s difficult to sort it all out. TB seems to have back-to-back missions. I worry that perhaps exhaustion is setting in, but that’s just my take on it. He hasn’t indicated anything of the sort. Just me being a mom. He had a particularly long and stressful mission recently. When he arrived back in his room he discovered many packages from me. My tough guy got a little choked up. I was shocked that his birthday boxes arrived so quickly. Since his 30th birthday is on the horizon, I sent 30 gifts. The gifts range from silly, (a mini-microphone that “grows” when you soak it in water), to small (a local magnet, a bookmark), to ones he will love (a red work out shirt, a phone card, and headphones for his iPod), but they were all wrapped and numbered. He said he will wait until his birthday to open them. I’m happy about that. He had the joy of receiving those boxes and others when he really needed a boost and can still have the pleasure of gifts on his birthday. He was very surprised to get his favorite homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. TB doesn’t know that his battle buddy has a box filled with party bags, a birthday hat, and a Happy Birthday Banner so all the guys can celebrate along with him. I hope someone takes pictures!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
"Home" Again
TB has been back at his homebase for several days. Within 24 hours he was out on a long mission. He seems happy to be back doing what he loves and what he’s trained for. I’m glad he loves it so much. I suppose when it comes down to it, I take comfort in that. If something should happen to him, he truly is doing what he loves.
I’m also happy that TB is so physically fit. He sent photos that provide insight into what life is like. I’ve been fortunate to receive information over the years from a lot of troops in a variety of places, so I feel as if I have a good idea about the situation TB is in. Some of the photos he sent caught me off guard, though. I can see why he works so hard to keep his soldiers fit, telling them to eat right, work out, stay away from junk food.
It’s easy for me to say I’m proud of TB. I wish there was some better way to say it, something that would really express the depth and expanse of my pride. A friend recently said, “The more you tell me about him, the more I understand why you love him.” TB is a great soldier, that’s for certain, but that’s just part of who he is.
I’m also happy that TB is so physically fit. He sent photos that provide insight into what life is like. I’ve been fortunate to receive information over the years from a lot of troops in a variety of places, so I feel as if I have a good idea about the situation TB is in. Some of the photos he sent caught me off guard, though. I can see why he works so hard to keep his soldiers fit, telling them to eat right, work out, stay away from junk food.
It’s easy for me to say I’m proud of TB. I wish there was some better way to say it, something that would really express the depth and expanse of my pride. A friend recently said, “The more you tell me about him, the more I understand why you love him.” TB is a great soldier, that’s for certain, but that’s just part of who he is.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fatigue
Yesterday I posted about courage. One of the quotes I used was, "Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior." After chatting with TB this afternoon, another quote came to mind; "The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
At this time the quote does not apply to TB, but rather to his men back at the home base. I can tell he is concerned about them and anxious to get back. They are being pushed hard and TB is concerned that fatigue may become an issue. He's very familiar with this from his experience in Iraq. It's interesting to me, because I am getting a few guilt vibes from him. He is at the larger base with more amenities and much less to do while he waits. He's bored. Ever anxious to be on the move, involved with his men, and doing what he does best - leading from the front.
While he is torn between these two places, I am torn between enjoying better contact and greater safety and wanting him to be happy doing what he loves. It was tempting to say to him, “What? Are you crazy? You want to go back there? Enjoy the time where you are.” But that would have been the wrong thing to say. So, I bit my tongue, or rather, sat on my hands, and empathized with his situation.
At this time the quote does not apply to TB, but rather to his men back at the home base. I can tell he is concerned about them and anxious to get back. They are being pushed hard and TB is concerned that fatigue may become an issue. He's very familiar with this from his experience in Iraq. It's interesting to me, because I am getting a few guilt vibes from him. He is at the larger base with more amenities and much less to do while he waits. He's bored. Ever anxious to be on the move, involved with his men, and doing what he does best - leading from the front.
While he is torn between these two places, I am torn between enjoying better contact and greater safety and wanting him to be happy doing what he loves. It was tempting to say to him, “What? Are you crazy? You want to go back there? Enjoy the time where you are.” But that would have been the wrong thing to say. So, I bit my tongue, or rather, sat on my hands, and empathized with his situation.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Courage
I frequently come across quotes about courage. I don’t have a favorite, but here are a few I like.
"Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior."
"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." ~ Billy Graham
"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." ~ John Wayne
"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." ~ Nelson Mandela
TB is still at a larger base. He called again yesterday to let me know he received another package. He’s receiving mail much faster where he is now. Last week TB joined a group attempting to deliver mail to his home base, but they had to turn back. The infrequent arrival of mail at the home base and the lack of internet access make it difficult for the guys to get items they need. Some of the much larger bases have good PX's and many items available. Apparently it was decided that someone needed to go to the larger base and procure things people need. TB volunteered.
I love that TB shares things with me and that he feels I’m strong enough to handle what he tells me. That brings me full circle to why I’ve been thinking about courage. What is it really? I don’t know for sure. I just know he has it. The roads he has to travel from his base to others are full of dangers; unspeakable, horrible dangers. But he and a few others volunteered to be the ones to go. Now that he is away, he worries about his men and the missions they conduct each day.
Yes, I’m fine with him being where he is for now, chatting several times a day, receiving mail every week, calling me just to talk. But mostly he’s safer – not safe – but safer. The day will come though, when he will make that journey back to his home base and I will be on my knees, praying that his courage is rewarded with a safe trip.
"Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior."
"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." ~ Billy Graham
"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." ~ John Wayne
"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." ~ Nelson Mandela
TB is still at a larger base. He called again yesterday to let me know he received another package. He’s receiving mail much faster where he is now. Last week TB joined a group attempting to deliver mail to his home base, but they had to turn back. The infrequent arrival of mail at the home base and the lack of internet access make it difficult for the guys to get items they need. Some of the much larger bases have good PX's and many items available. Apparently it was decided that someone needed to go to the larger base and procure things people need. TB volunteered.
I love that TB shares things with me and that he feels I’m strong enough to handle what he tells me. That brings me full circle to why I’ve been thinking about courage. What is it really? I don’t know for sure. I just know he has it. The roads he has to travel from his base to others are full of dangers; unspeakable, horrible dangers. But he and a few others volunteered to be the ones to go. Now that he is away, he worries about his men and the missions they conduct each day.
Yes, I’m fine with him being where he is for now, chatting several times a day, receiving mail every week, calling me just to talk. But mostly he’s safer – not safe – but safer. The day will come though, when he will make that journey back to his home base and I will be on my knees, praying that his courage is rewarded with a safe trip.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Back to School
Tuesday was our first day of school. I've been looking forward to the new year because I know it will keep me busy. I didn't expect TB to have internet access when school started, so we have both had to adjust to that. I'm usually busy with my class when he's online, so we haven't chatted too much the last few days. Yesterday evening he got up in the middle of the night and we had a nice long chat. Today I didn't see him at all, but he posted a message on my Facebook wall. It's the little things like that that help you get through the day.
Monday TB was very excited because he received a package from me. I keep a record of each package and what's in it. There are a few boxes that haven't reached him yet - a small electric heater, instant oatmeal, a hot pot and tea, and a blanket. None of these things would be of much use to him where he is now. Those boxes would need to be sent on to his permanent base. Oddly enough the box he received had body wash, lotion, and other items that he really needed. He was so happy! Once again we are both amazed at the way things work out. What good would the box with the heater have been to him? But getting that box with hygiene items was perfect timing! A buddy back at TB's permanent base said he has mail waiting there, so I suppose the other boxes were sent on.
Monday TB was very excited because he received a package from me. I keep a record of each package and what's in it. There are a few boxes that haven't reached him yet - a small electric heater, instant oatmeal, a hot pot and tea, and a blanket. None of these things would be of much use to him where he is now. Those boxes would need to be sent on to his permanent base. Oddly enough the box he received had body wash, lotion, and other items that he really needed. He was so happy! Once again we are both amazed at the way things work out. What good would the box with the heater have been to him? But getting that box with hygiene items was perfect timing! A buddy back at TB's permanent base said he has mail waiting there, so I suppose the other boxes were sent on.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Communication Blitz!!
I've been sleeping pretty well lately, especially this week since I've gone back to work. Getting used to a new routine and working all day to get the classroom ready have been more tiring than I expected.This morning I woke up around 4 am. I lay there for a while, fighting the urge to get up and get online. Finally I gave in and what should I see but TB on Messenger! Oh my! I'm always amazed when that kind of thing happens, but it seems to occur often for us.
TB is temporarily at a different FOB that has internet access. I'm loving this! We've chatted three times today! He sent photos first thing this morning. One was of him holding up two of the boxes I sent; one in each hand. How he can do that is beyond me! What I really love about the photo is the expression on his face! It makes my heart sing to see him so happy and content looking. He posted great photos on Facebook that give a good idea about the terrain. It's very rugged and austere.
It's so nice to have him right there and to have an actual back and forth conversation instead of waiting 12, 24, or more hours. I know it's a lot easier for him, too. It won't last long, but that's okay. I'm enjoying it while I can.
TB is temporarily at a different FOB that has internet access. I'm loving this! We've chatted three times today! He sent photos first thing this morning. One was of him holding up two of the boxes I sent; one in each hand. How he can do that is beyond me! What I really love about the photo is the expression on his face! It makes my heart sing to see him so happy and content looking. He posted great photos on Facebook that give a good idea about the terrain. It's very rugged and austere.
It's so nice to have him right there and to have an actual back and forth conversation instead of waiting 12, 24, or more hours. I know it's a lot easier for him, too. It won't last long, but that's okay. I'm enjoying it while I can.
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