My son Ryan continues to serve our country in Afghanistan. BUT, he can't even tell me where he is. He can't tell me about the scary things. He can't tell me about the neat things. He can't really talk about any of it! It drives me crazy. He did, however write a letter home to his wife explaining a little of what he can tell, via the mail system. I wasn't sure I liked hearing about close shrapnel either.
SO, I guess I will convert my irritation that he gives no details (on account of him being involved in the "CIA" part of this opperation) to deeper prayers and gratitude that I have no gag on my tongue. Because people like Ryan go through a lot of mental, physical and spiritual depravation, while the rest of us get to enjoy things as simple as speech. More, we get to enjoy walking to the park, with no fear. We enjoy eating, three meals a day. We enjoy electing our government officials, without worry that there will be a riot killing many. We watch our flag wave, and are proud.
I am very grateful for Ryan and for each and every other man and woman serving our country. I thank them all for what they do. They are not a number to me. They are someone with a family at home that matters. May they each return home safely, and know that what they did, really matters.
