PRECIOUS WORDS |

PRECIOUS WORDS TO A WARRIOR'S MOTHER
Name: Christine Steward
Posting date: 5/20/08
Son stationed in: Afghanistan
Husband returned from: Afghanistan
Milblog: Bouhammer.com (StewBlog)

Today as I sit here in my empty home the silence is deafening. The other boys left for school earlier and this is the time of day when I sit down and type away in my journal and for our blog. It is also the time of day when my oldest and I would touch base and chat.

Today like everyday since January 3, there is no one here to chat with. No one to tell me about the grand plans for his life or to crack a joke that brings me to my knees with laughter, and no one to tease me about my attire. No one to ask me for a favor or complain about the dinner selection, but most of all there is no one to tell me “I love you Big Mama” as he walks out the door. Unless you have ever placed your baby in harm’s way, you can never begin to understand the pain the surrounds a mother’s heart when you send your baby off to war.

War is ugly, painful and difficult for those directly affected by it. No soldier wants war. It was General Douglas MacArthur who said it best: "The Soldier above all others prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest scars of war." No Mother or Father wants war, especially for our children. We spend years protecting, guiding and loving our children with a desire for them to have a bright, loving and peaceful life. We military parents serve in silence with our children, standing quietly in the shadows of their world.

War is something that the human race has been dealing with for many years. I was a child during the Vietnam War, but I still have memories of it. Images of news footage roll through my mind. I remember watching the TV as soldiers were being filmed riding on the back of a truck, waving to the camera while they headed off to some remote area. I remember the words of a soldier, waving and saying "Hi Mom." As a child, I thought nothing of the importance of those simple words, but as a Mother I cherish them.

Like any Mom, those childhood memories have stayed with me. As a Military Mom, at times those memories haunt me. Today, I find myself hanging on to my computer instead of the news channel. My computer is the first thing I look at when I roll out of bed and the last thing I view before I go to sleep. Why? I’m looking for the Hi Mom. I just want two little words, to know that my baby is okay. No one will understand the importance of those two little words to a Military Mom. Sure, we would love to get a full detail of the day’s events from our babies, but in reality there are days when it would be more than we as mothers could bear to hear. For now I am grateful for a “Hi Mom. I’m OK. I miss you and love you! Love, Your Boy."

Just precious words to any Military Mother!

Comments

[kathy]

I do understand what you are going thru and am praying for you and your soldier........ My only child spent 2 15month tours in Iraq. He has been home for several months now and I want to believe yours will be coming home safe and sound too....... I am still emotionally shook up and will be for some time. My son still has 2 years on his enlistment so there is the fear that he could go back again.... Hang in there! From another MM

[Jen]

I know how you feel. I love & value both of my sons, but the hole in my heart is filled with worry for my soldier son in harm's way. It's the first & last think I think of every day.
May our loved ones retain their humanity, & return home safely.

[Hope]

said beautifully, I began to cry. I too know how you feel. Mine is deployed too. I pray alot and go to the computer first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Thanks for your eloquent words. You captured it all perfectly.

[Ann]

Been there and done that. It was a year like a waking nightmare. Check the news five times a day. Check the computer every chance looking for the words " Hi Mom". Every other part of my life was affected.Relationships, and work got what little emotional energy was left over. Thank God he's home safe for now.

[Helen]

I just want to thank all military mothers. I don't have a child who is deployed, but just because I am a mother, I understand every word that is written here. Your son and your family will always be in my thoughts.

[William Earl Dungey]

From a former deployed to combat zone son, that cherished every letter, note and package (especially the rum soaked fruitcake) that came in by chopper to our Firebase in Nam, I thank all Mom's for being there, and I know all your children are doing their best to come home and tell you they love you, and missed you.

[mamaworecombatboots]

Yep, I'll vouch for that.

Number one son came home April 25. I'm not the crying type but every flag, uniform or song I come across these days sets me to weeping. My son says "What are you crying for, Ma? I'm Home!"

It is so much harder, waiting. When you're deployed, at least you know where you are.

Thak God for the bloggers. Without them I would have gone crazy.

[Debra]

I can empathize with what you are going through. My daughter has been in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and is now in Aghanistan. Like others, I check email every morning and again every night and often through the day. I pray for my daughter and for all the daughters and sons who are in the desert, or any other part of the world serving... May they all come back to us safe and sound.

[Arielle]

~This is my first time visiting this blog. I do have loved ones over seas but they are not family members but friends. I am 21 years old but all I can say to all of you parents out there is that I am prayin' for you and your sons/daughters/husbands/wives/etc. every night. They are always in my prayers and I never forget them. I hope that you thank them for me when you talk to them for I do not know who they are. Your sons, daughters,etc are very brave. May all of the soldiers come back home safely. Thank you all and God Bless!!!!~

[AnnMCN]

My son is on his second deployment, and got back on leave two days ago. I still have YIM turned on, waiting for his "Hi, Mom."