War mother

Today, I was reminded of a family gathering before I left for Iraq. All my aunts and uncles were scrunched in my parent’s medium sized living room. The cousins spilled into the kitchen. Nobody talked about Iraq or politics; we just laughed and reminisced about how much of a pooper my brother and I were growing up. Then, it came time for everybody to leave. And to my surprise, mother asked our guests to join her in prayer. All 20 something of my family members formed a circle around me. They laid hands upon me and mother prayed. It would be the first time I could sense or feel her anxiety. As she spoke, tears fell from her bright blue eyes and her voice trembled as if she were at a funeral. But mom was strong and she finished the prayer. It was a dramatic moment I hope I never experience again. To feel my mother’s sadness was more difficult than the task ahead (Iraq).

Nobody feels a war more than the mother of a soldier. Kbug gives us a chance to understand.