~Pieces of the Heart~ ~Blue~

~Pieces of the heart~

Yesterday, we were at the VA Clinic. There is never a time through the week when it’s not extremely busy, I waited in the waiting area near the lobby while Ed went to his appointments. As I usually do; I had taken a book to read, but never got the chance to read it. Most of the time, I spend it, talking to other Vets. While some share interesting stories from their past as young boys or the time before they went into the service, others they will share specific events, incidents of a war. I feel quite privileged to sit there, listening…… a quiet spectator while these Heroes share with me, the memories of days past, those precious pieces of their heart.



In awe; I listen as they tell me stories of Vietnam, a man in his golden years, a grandson spoke of his father during the attack on Pearl Harbor, there were flights to Normandy, Japan, Saigon, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, times during the Cold War, World War I, my own grandfather fought, traveling to Germany, though I never met him; when I was a little girl, I recall seeing his photograph among other Servicemen in a World Book, World War II America’s attack on Japan in retaliation of Pearl Harbor. These men are the “real” Heroes, telling their life stories, the true history of our Nation, they have fought, sacrificed, gave so much of their lives to a country & its people in love & in honor. Giving so much, we will never fully know or realize, how much indeed.



I so often wonder, is it too much to ask to Honor them in return?-----For they truly deserve it & oh so much more! Then, there are those who never made it home. I see firsthand in the telling, in the looks upon these Veterans precious faces as they remember, buddies-----Comrades, Brothers they had to leave behind on foreign soil. The hurt and haunted looks tell a story.



While listening to one such story, the man was called back to his appointment, telling me he hoped we had a nice Thanksgiving, Christmas as I said the same to him. It was then, I noticed another man who had quietly came in sat down across from me. I noticed his unkempt appearance, he looked my way for only a brief moment. I noticed his thick grey hair uncombed, beard long, though I imagined at one time, he must have been a handsome man. His coat, tattered and worn. Several times, he bowed his head, sitting there almost as if he were asleep, perhaps the medication was such that it created a “dream—like” state, I don’t know. I’ve never been one to stare at someone rudely or otherwise, but discreetly as I could, I quietly observed him.



When he raised back up, his blue eyes, gazed out the window nearby. Telling an untold story----speaking without saying a word. He sat there seemingly far away. As a mountain of emotion locked deep inside played across his face---I could see there was a struggle, a fight---a battle, a war going on inside----even though on the outside he appeared to be so battle---scarred and torn---- yet I also saw a glimpse if but a tiny glimpse, oh, but it was still there---a strong will to conquer demons from his past, a hurt so deep that only God can cure.



As I sat there, I Prayed to myself----a cry, a plea unto The heavenly Father to please help him, Help the one who had helped so many---His Child., who had sacrificed so much that Others could remain free------ I felt a deep ripple of pain in my heart for this stranger, then again, he wasn’t really a stranger afterall. He could have been my grandfather, my father, my brother, an uncle, a cousin, my son-------------

© 2015 SA Lawson (SALM) *KYBluebird*

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