Aboslutely! I amen Annika's words.

I agree with her completely. Problem is: my blog is to escape such horrors and I've been sick with anger and grief over the events this week.

If anyone thinks this ain't a holy war, I want whatever they're smoking.

This "thing" in Iraq is going to be difficult and for a very long time.

And my son-in-law is active duty Marines, my eldest son is 16; my youngest 13. As a mother, I'm frightened to death for my boys.

Oh, Emma....

That was not meant condescendingly, sorry. I meant that my heart hurts for you....I have no sons, but I have friends and wives of friends. I also have a husband, who because of his service to this country in the USMC, daily feels guilty that he is not, also, there with his brothers, covering their backs, firing upon the enermy, securing the democracy of a nation and buffering it of his own.

I have daughters who will marry, God willing. And those whom they choose to love, I will also and take them as my own sons. I cannot imagine your fear and concern, Emma.

Emma, I can't imagine what it must be like for you right now, either. You son in law will be in my prayers, and I hope that your boys never have to face this themselves. As much as I believe in our cause, as much as I believe that this is necessary, war is something that I abhor.

I really wish there were a way for this to have worked out peacefully, and I desperately hope that we can see this through and help make the world a better, safer place for all of us.

Thank you, David and Rae, for your kindness. Ya'll made my mascara run, but that's a good thing.

See my sidebar? I'm used to worrying. :) (My dad, in fact, was NOT in the military, but my step-father was a full-on 5th Group Special Forces Green Beret. But that's another story for another time.)

My SIL is currently in Japan but it looks like he'll be over in the sandbox come first of '05. He's a great kid, a good husband and spankin'-new daddy and I will, despite my previous protestations about all things religious, be praying my head off for him.

If my boys should decide to serve our great country, I will admit my concern will be ratcheted up even more. I will support them and pray for them, too. I obviously have a bias but I think that the selfless contributions of military service makes a person next to greatness note I did not say perfect).

Thank you again, and sorry, David, for bandwidth-hogging. Heh.

::: hugs :::

O.K. I do find it funny that in the midst of all this I accidentally typed "eneRmy." Say it out loud and it will make you chuckle :).

Emma, in the short time I have "known" you, I have never seen a woman stick out her chin and grin, more than you ;)

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