Exceptional Reflections on my soldier son's homecoming event. Inches and Seconds by Janilou Brief thoughts about tomorrow.

Category:  War and History Non-Fiction   Posted:  July 24, 2007      Views: 846

ABOUT JANILOU  Janilou is a woman who loves God. Much of her work reflects her faith. Christian music often inspires her work. She is honored to have been named FanStory's Short Works Author Of The Year, in 2007 and 2008, and thanks all of her wonderful fans for the ranking. Their comments and support are her inspiration! She writes whenever her dairy goats allow her to escape the milking barn. If she's not on FanStory, you might find her on Facebook, using her real name, Jan Anderegg. Quote Of The Day: "Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary." Sir James M Barrie She has won several contests. The contest submission Death By Taxes was the first place winner in the contest . Boys Will Be Boys was the first place winner in the contest . Twas The Night Before - Say What? was the first place winner in the contest . She is a top ranked author and is currently holding the #41 position. The Seal of Quality committee has rewarded her with 2 seals. Portfolio | Become A Fan A million thoughts echo through my mind tonight. My soldier son is coming home from Iraq. For several years now, he's been in harm's way, fighting a war in a desert. In just eighteen hours, he will walk into a building being specially prepared for the big homecoming event. I am so excited! As I hug him, the tears I cry will be those of joy and relief. I will pass along all of your thanks, hugs and love, as many of you have asked me to do. This morning, as I reflected on the past two years of deployment, I spent time wondering. How much will my son have changed? He left here, several years ago as a teenage boy. He is returning a twenty-two-year-old man who has seen death wink at him and walk away. Dan's life was spared last October when an IED exploded beneath the truck in which he and a fellow soldier were traveling. They dug chunks of shrapnel out of Dan's body armor and helmet. My son's school mate, Stephen, died in Iraq this January. When Stephen's mother learned of the attack Dan went through, she thanked God out-loud that Dan was not badly injured. Then she turned to me and said, "It's all about inches and seconds. That's what makes the difference between life and death." She and her husband have vowed to welcome their son's unit home from Iraq when they return. I admire them so much. I've done a lot of thinking today about her words, while I count down the hours to my son's return home. While I wait for this moment I have dreamed about so many times, I am crying both tears of joy and sobs of grief. Two different bombs. Two different roads. Same country. Same war. Her son died and mine lived. Why? Inches and seconds. I hope I never forget how much those tiny things can represent. Recognized Share your own writing! - Information on our membership for writers. Author Notes Many of you have already read my articles and poems about Stephen Shannon, who died in Iraq earlier this year. I find my thoughts of joy about Dan's homecoming also tainted by thoughts of Stephen and his family. How I wish Stephen could have come home alive. Pays one point and 2 member cents.

© Copyright 2010 Janilou All rights reserved. Janilou has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.