I dedicate the following to all the men and women in service in the US *and* Canada whom I know and love. And to those whom YOU know and love.
WIFE'S REQUEST
I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.
Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.
Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East .. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home.
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment . Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?
As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voic es from the next booth broke into my thoughts. "I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq .. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good Lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them as they began an endless tirade running down our president.
I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.
Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.
"It's all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought. It's pure greed, you know."
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?
I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.
"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq , and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."
Professional baby-killers. I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.
That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our mil itary, and let her pride in our troops be known.
Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, smiling I said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."
"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."
I must have been louder than I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right
"Yes, thank you," I replied.
Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.
After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it.
When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."
With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.
"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers.
I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military that protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain its freedom.
As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.
Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
To those who fought for our nation, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
GOD BLESS AMERICA !
Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders. Pass this on to as many as you think will respond.
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior." GOD BLESS AMERICA
Prayer to the Goddess
I know the Laws of Nature are you, Lady.
Keep me mindful that I step upon Your Body,
with your feet,
that my sorrows are Your sorrows,
and that a healthy priest makes all things sound.
I feel Your breath in the wind, and Your hand in mine.
Keep me sincere.
Give me Your work,
which is to be joyous,
and to tend all things, because all things live, of themselves,
and with Your spirit.
Your will through mine, so mote it be.
by Francesca De Grandis, copyright 1987
I'm in my 30s...a writer, editor, mom of two.
A published writer, thank you very much. It's called "Living Full and Gluten Free: A Restaurant guide with a full menu." An unweildy title perhaps but I think it gets the point across eh? It's a study of the menus of 16 of North Americas top eat-in and 16 fast food restaurants. Looking for gluten free items of course. Everyone deserves to eat out once in a while, even if you are an alien who can't eat 90% of the planet's food. (Thanks Mum! LOL) I also now have the first of the Mazrakir series published on lulu.com. Search Catherine Bowman (my penname) and check it out!
I have, and can, written just about every genre - except screenplays, technical and poetry. I don't do very well at poetry. Unlike Mum who has done an amazing amount of work in that genre!(www.myspace.com/alicecbateman)
I have also edited just about every genre, except screenplays and technical. Just haven't had that opportunity.
I am engaged to a wonderful man who transplanted my Canuck butt temporarily to the desert in Arizona and now to North Carolina. I am so happy to see greenery again!! There is a second man in my life whom I also love very much. And he recently reenlisted with the Army, which makes the above story have that much more meaning. He'll be in 15 Juliette. And I am doing my level best to support his decision. Service men and women are the people who keep our countries safe and they need all the love and support they can get.
I am currently trying to sell the book that is in bits & pieces in my blog. It is, if my biased fan base is to be believed, awesome. It's ready to go and looks fantastic. While I'm looking for an agent or a publisher I am working on the second book in the Mazrakir series. Although I have to admit I 'm stalled. I can't really write on Jeremy's computer. I am happy with where it's going though.
Self-confidence is a new thing for me and born of love and accomplishment. The more my fiance loves me, the more my Coven Family loves me, the more I love me and that's what it's all about. I am worthy of them. The accomplishment comes from finishing my book AND from winning an award for it. Yes, that's right, I won an award. It wasn't first place but I'm rather pleased with it. And it DID get me an offer from the publisher who hosted the contest. I didn't take it, because it's still more than I can pay to have my book published. But I am more confident that I can sell it now and so I will.
I am in a holding pattern. I am trying something new to get out of it, something called the Law of Attraction. Positive thinking and visualising our future as the present. Seriously hoping it works. I have faith in the friend that told us about it though. ;-)
I am Pagan. Which, for me, means I believe in a Goddess and a host of other Gods and Goddesses who assist Her. At the core of my beliefs is that One Power is behind Creation and Mother Earth, and that Power is governed by the Goddess and Her cohorts. You are welcome to believe what you believe and I will believe what I believe. I do adore a lively, intelligent discussion about it though.
As I said, I have two kids. They live mostly with their dad since my health doesn't allow me to look after them very well. They're both gorgeous, brilliant and empathic. And that's not just parent-bias, everyone says so. *grins*
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