Too Many Sad Moments These Days

We received word tonight that my partner's uncle just died, and his son, a senior member of the Army Ranger, is being allowed the opportunity to hurry home, take part in his father's funeral, and then hurry back to Iraq. The Ranger also has very young children, and it's unclear whether the kids will get to see their dad (who comes into the other side of the country for the funeral) during this trip or not. I hope so, of course, because with war - just as it is with life - you never know when or if you will get another opportunity.

I also find myself thinking of the uncle, and how tough it must have been for him to face his last days worried about his son on the battlefield. It's a difficult thing in any situation, but on one's death bed coming to the end of life while only being able to hope and pray that your son - or daughter - will get to live out the rest of his or her time? It's not something easy to imagine in its complexity and pain.

Obviously, I hope the Ranger - and all the other soldiers from all the countries, along with the support workers - get to come home safely and soon. It is also my wish that Iraqi and Afghan families would be able to return to some semblance of normalcy. There has been enoug grief, and too many children have lost parents to this war.