Loss
It’s a year. Take a year at home and stuff happens. Babies are born, people die. Circle of life and all that crap. When we deploy, that circle doesn’t stop even though we feel so far removed from it. One of my troops missed the birth of his child, and another squad leader missed the birth of his second. Last night, one of my team leaders lost his mother.
This is the hard part. If you miss your baby being born, that baby will still be there whenever it is that you finally get home - on leave or at the end of the tour or whenever. When someone dies, all you have is that last time you saw them. The last time you talked to them. Last tour, both of my mom’s parents died. It was hard. I cannot imagine losing my mom while I was thousands of miles away. He’s a rock though, and he seems to be taking it well. His biggest concern is for his son. He’s a good man and a good father, and I’m certain that he is a good son. His mom will be missed, as I am sure she missed her son.
I won’t mention his name, I don’t think he’d like that. If you read this, keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. You don’t need a name, just know that a Soldier and his family are hurting right now and need all the good thoughts you can send.
Thanks.
