Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. I didn't understand then why the Bush administration was so gung-ho about this war. I didn't see the Iraqi government as a threat to the US. They were not harboring terrorists. Not back then anyway. I felt that the Iraq war diverted our attention from our true mission which was to defend ourselves from terrorists. It was painful to see my country engaged in this war. Today I still feel the same way. I have a coworker who has friends who are fighting in Iraq. He says that his friends think that citizens in the US have forgotten about the troops who are fighting this war. I haven't forgotten about them. They have given up so much to fight this war and whether I agree with the war or not, I support the troops and I believe that it is our duty to remember the sacrifices that they make everyday for our country. It is also our duty to take care of them and their families when they return home from the war. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to transition from being in a war zone to being back at home with loved ones.
Tomorrow is also my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Allyson! I love you.
We woke up to snow this morning. It was the heavy, wet kind; the kind they call heart attack snow (since many end up in the hospital with heart attacks while shoveling this snow). Luckily most of it has melted. It was beautiful this morning, stuck to the trees and glistening in the moonlight. But I'm over winter.
Mom had a good day. She spent the day with 2 of her favorite caregivers, Elizabeth and Nicole. She was being helped out of the bathroom by Nicole when I arrived home. She was telling me how much she likes Nicole. That makes me happy. I worry a lot less about Mom when she is with her caregivers. Tomorrow LaShay will be here most of the day. I hope things go well for both of them. The physical therapist is going to bring an orthotist on one of her visits and they will fit Mom for a lift for her shoe. I hope that this helps Mom feel less pain when she walks. Right now Mom and Olivia are cuddling together. Olivia likes to lie on Mom's chest and purr while Mom pets her. It's such a calming thing. Life is good.
4 comments:
My nephew was deployed and spent his almost two years doing supply convoys from Kuwait to Iraq. He is back home safely, and now spends a lot of time volunteering at the VA hospital. It really changed him.
Mom likes to sleep on her side, and I will often find her cat (Freckleface aka Groucho) nestled on the dip above the hip. I'm not sure if I explained that right, anyway the cat often sleeps on Mom.
Tony did a 7 month deployment in Ramadi, Iraq (Al Anbar province) during the heat of their fighting. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life trying to support my daughter while she waited by the phone to hear his voice - even for just a minute or two phone call. People have no idea how awful that is on the families.
There are rumors Tony will deploy a second time a few months after he and Nikki marry. Sigh.
Tony has come home a very different guy - but he has done OK. He rarely talks of his experience and I don't ask. I know he had some terrifying times and when he's ready, he'll talk.
I'm so glad your mom has Olivia! Cuddling with a kitty rocks.
i'm glad that your mom has had a few good days. you sound good!
i think having to go to war probably changes a person forever, similar to how all of our lives are forever changed by care giving.
It seems that everyone has been touched by this war in many ways. I pray for peace for the Iraqi citizens and for our troops.
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