Sunday, January 8, 2006

ALL IS WELL AT HOME

Dear Gabe,

Every day now it seems the list is growing.  I worried that I was becoming desensitized, I was afraid that I was getting used to death.  I read that a helicopter went down today.  The Band of Brothers, they said.  How sad, I thought.  101st, your dad emphasized.  And I cried.  And then I cried harder because I wasn't sure why I was crying.  I didn't know if I was crying for them, or for you... or for me.  Later I realized that I HAD cried, that I still COULD cry.  That brought me such relief, oh Gabe, you don't know how good I felt afterwards.  It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of my heart and while the wound bled, the pain was gone.

I hate that you are witnessing so much horror and tragedy.  I am so happy that other than your camera, you are fine.  I worry about your bloodstained uniforms.  You're 21.  Your clothes should be stained with grass and barbeque sauce.  You should be ducking footballs and water balloons, not bullets and shrapnel. 

Your dad and I had a nice talk.  Actually I cried and dripped snot.  He listened and pretended not to notice the mucous.  I am so confused about how to feel right now.  I don't remember being this afraid when he was there in '90.  I guess circumstances are different.  The kids were younger, he was older.  I didn't know better.  The war was farther.  His unit wasn't suffering casualties.  Its just so different.  I'm coping though, I really am, so don't worry about me.  It just takes a little longer for things to sink in and for me to react. 

Your brothers and sisters are great.  They are so proud of you and the Military over there.  They have had to deal with some insensitive, ignorant kids at school, but you know them... they set the others straight real quick.  No worries here.

So you just take care of yourself and your buddies.  Do what you have to do, and come home safe.

Miss you tons, love you always,

Mom

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gabe,
You don't know me and I would love to be able to meet your family sometime because your parents are so supportive of you.
I need to tell you THANK YOU for taking on such a huge responsibility.  I am too old to do anything for our country other than pray for your safety and that of your friends.  And, to say thank you for what you are doing.

It is so important to have a face and person to go with what I see and read in the news everyday.  Please know I think about you daily.  My son (well son-in-law but I like to think of him as my son) is also in the military.  He is not home right now and we keep him close to my heart-you are there too.  I don't know if this adds any comfort to you but I do want you to know every minute you are there, you earn my TOTAL RESPECT AND THANKS.

I send you love from my part of The United States of America.

Stacie Waddell,
Kingsland, Georgia
USA

January 8, 2006 at 11:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gabe,

Hi, my name is Kell and I have been reading your hilarious Mom for like 2 years now.  And while I love to read her humorous stories, I also appreciate when she updates us all on you.  To everyone who knows your Mom and knows her fear of you being over there, well you are like a son/brother/friend to us as well.  We all share the same thing, our prayers and thoughts of you and your troops safety.  I can assure you, you have a lot of prayers coming from all over the US, and I am sure a few other countries as well.  We are so proud of you!!!

You are a hero to me Gabe.  The word hero is not something that means much anymore, that label is thrown on anyone who does something that the media catches on to.  But I know what the real meaning of hero is, and you and the guys in your platoon are the true meaning of the word heroes!  Thank you Gabe for being over there and being a hero to all of us!!!

Always,
Kell

January 8, 2006 at 11:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dorn,
I don't cry very often anymore.. but when I do it's because something has touched me way deep inside.  These words to your son do.  My tears are for many reasons.  Of coarse for the sadness of this all, for you missing your son, but also because I see a mother who loves her son as I haven't witness in my life.  (I am referring to my own childhood)  

Gabe,
Words can express the gratitude I have for what you and the others over there are doing for us here back home.  I know that you don't now me but I am so proud of you.  Your mother has talk about you so much I feel as if I do know you.  Thank you for what you are doing.  Stay strong and know that there are even "strangers" here on the internet loving and praying for you.  Please find some inner peace in that horrible world in which you are in right now.  Also you're so lucky to have the mother you do (I assume you know this)
Please take care, be safe and God bless,
Promise

January 9, 2006 at 1:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gabe,

As always you and your friends are in my prayers. Please keep safe and know that you are loved and missed. Thank you once again for all that you are doing to keep this country safe. Come home soon!  Phyllis

January 9, 2006 at 3:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gabe, I hope that all of you over there know just how proud all of us here are of you guys.  I know you are doing good over there, but I just pray for you all to come home soon...take care....Sandi

January 9, 2006 at 6:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gabe,

I am so sorry for the losses you and your unit are bearing in Iraq.  I am keeping you in my prayers.  Be strong, keep your head low, and fight the good fight.  Thank you...

Jody,

Hang in there momma bear.  I am saying prayers for you as always.  I think you might have the harder job between the two of you...and I know you know, what I mean.  Your words to Gabe are perfect... he is so lucky to have you as a mom.

Be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

January 9, 2006 at 8:51 PM  

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