Dear Soldiers
We (Bud and I) went to pick up a new vehicle from motor pool, as our current one lease had expired and was being shipped to Baghdad. As I walked in the office, I noticed a guy I knew of from Minot. He is not stationed there anymore, he is in Italy now. We exchanged pleasantries and all that.
There was a box on the floor there with a bunch of candy in it, and a manila envelope. I mentioned the candy, and the guy said that one of the workers’ wife was a teacher back in the states, and her kids sent the care package to the troops here in Balad.
Another guy standing around reached in and opened the envelope and pulled out a card - not a hallmark card, but one a child makes - I was curious and pulled out another card. I started to read it.
Three words into it “Dear Soldiers, I…” and I could not read anymore. I was overcome with emotion. I still don’t know exactly why? I still have the vision in my head, it was a heart shaped card colored blue on the front with some other designs. It opened book style and the handwriting was typical third-graderish.
I have thought about the effect it had/has on me, and mentioned it to a few people. Do you have any thoughts on what the deal is with that? Why I am so emotionally sensitive all of a sudden?
kk thx.
February 22nd, 2006 at 1744.12
You and I have already discussed the possibilities of why you could be more sensitive lately, but just in case you forgot, I will refresh your memory. And add a little more thought to it that I did not share with you previously.
Given the environment that you are in, it is natural to have your emotions running on overload. The reality sunk in when you read the words “Dear soldier” because that was not written to an anonymous person. It was written to you.
Maybe you did not realize that you were considered a soldier to those that are not over there facing what you face on a daily basis. Maybe you didn’t realize the care and concern that others have for you and all of the other soldiers. Maybe you reconsidered your decision of volunteering and had second thoughts about what you were really doing over there. Or maybe it reminded of why you volunteered.
There could be several different reasons and I don’t know if anyone can tell you what those reasons are besides yourself. They are your feelings, and only you can learn how to better understand them.