My older nephew--I'll call him C--recently got a new job. The company provides computer-based security to military installations around the world. Three Marines started the company a little over twenty years ago. It's based here, just to the south of Knoxville, but the techies travel to various bases to do their work. C is really pleased with the job itself, the complexity of it, the challenge of doing something new. There's just one drawback.
He's been assigned to Iraq.
He's not military, but he'll be stationed on base and enjoy all the "benefits" of the base. He won't have to go outside the base while he's there, but should he need to, he'll have an armed guard or ten with him at all times. He's supposed to stay for a year, with 2 weeks' time off every three months. If he can stay a year, and only spend 2 (or maybe 4, I forget which) weeks of leave in the US, he'll receive a tax credit. A very large tax credit. Not that that's worth going to Iraq for, in my opinion, but it does make for a great incentive.
More than likely, C won't be here for Thanksgiving, and he definitely won't be here for Christmas. He'll miss being at home for his 30th birthday in March.
I didn't realize until last night how much I'm going to miss him. I also didn't count on feeling like I want to break down sobbing every time I think about it. He's my first nephew, you know? I remember when he was born. I remember feeding him, then him burping up all over me. :) There are so many things I remember about him from his childhood. And now I look at him and I see this almost 30-year-old man, hugely tall (6'8"), thoughtful, intelligent, good-looking, funny...
I told him today that he was so brave. He chose to take this job and this particular assignment because he wanted the challenge. No one forced him into it.
I pray to God that he comes home alive.
Before he leaves, I'm giving him a medallion with St Michael on one side and a guardian angel on the other, and I'm going to ask him to wear it from then on, for the year he's there. It may not help, but it surely can't hurt.
Goodbye, my little Kissyfur. God be with you, and all the others there. I love you so, so much.
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5 comments:
Give him a medal of St Christopher as well. Patron Saint of Travelling or Wandering Souls.
You have a Kissyfur too.
-A
J,
Try not to worry about the anons so much. You know how they are, they bring up shit that happened weeks, months, or even ages ago like a bunch of dogs.
Hang in there. You have your friends in your corner
*hugs*
J
I am 12:04 from the "silly name I won't mention" blog.
I understand that you have feel that you have reached the end of your tether with these remarks.
However consider this:
- Whomever they are, they have a perception of you, your words will be twisted regardless.
- You know the true intention of those words. If they are unwilling to grasp that after a clarification, it's their problem.
-You know your motives are true and kind. With this knowledge there is no need to justify yourself to anyone. The real intent is always there.
Keep your chin up. Both yourself and L have many who like you. These outweigh those naysayers :)
And I nearly forgot, Happy Halloween to both you and L.
Thank you, BC. *hugs back* I'm so glad to have you for my friend. Ironic, isn't it, that I told you basically the same things back so many months ago? "Forget the anons, they don't want to do anything but rattle you." And here you are now, saying them back to me.
The only difference is that the anons DID finally leave you alone. Me, seems like I'm still a crowd favorite. O_o
Thank you, though, you really do mean the world to me.
12.04, thank you too for your kindness. I realize all that you said is true. Like I wrote earlier at the "silly name I won't mention" blog, most of the time I ignore all of them. Some days it doesn't bother me and I laugh it off. But some days, it hits me that I've become these people's hobby. They derive so much pleasure out of treating me like pond scum. They don't seem to realize I'm a person with normal feelings...oh what am I saying. That's why they do what they do. They know it gets to me. That's why they keep doing it. No matter if I ignore it or not, they continue.
That's one reason I don't post too much or too often. My words get stolen and then ridiculed.
Aah, sorry to rant. But thanks for letting me. You're compassionate like that. *wobbly smile*
Goodnight.
And Happy Halloween to you as well. I hope you get some good candy.
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