One year ago today, Haiti was hit by a devasting earthquake. The next thing I knew, my son's ship, the USS Carl Vinson, was being named on national television by the President of the United States. At that time, I was not in a good place emotionally, physically, or mentally. I was unemployed, out of hope, and beginning to think my life was over. Then I find out my only son is heading for ground zero where people are fighting and killing over food and water. Let's just say, it did nothing to help my situation at the time. As much as I wanted to keep watching the news, I couldn't. It was too terrifying.
I cried. I cried a lot. I didn't know what to do, and the worst part was not being able to hear his voice or know if he was ok. My prayers went up all the time, "Please God, just keep him safe. Please. He's my one and only. Please, please, please."
Those days were dark and full of dread. If it wasn't for QH, I would have stayed in that darkness, or worse. Instead, I fought my way out, and back up into the light. I couldn't give up. I've worked my ass off to make it this far, and some days it can be a struggle, but I am glad to look back at this year and see I am here, I'm ok, and more importantly, God answered my prayers and brought my son home safe and sound. I'm so proud of what he did there, of the people he helped and that he was able to continue on and go to South America and end up in San Diego, California. He crossed the equator twice on that deployment and saw a huge part of the world I've never seen, and all before his 21st birthday.
To all who have family in the military, for those in the military, I thank you for your service and for all you did a year ago for the people of Haiti. And thank you for all you continue to do right now to keep us all free and safe and to help out those in need. I'm very proud to be a Navy Mom.
And I pray your loved ones are home soon, safe and sound, sleeping in their own beds.
7 comments:
Aww...I can't imagine the torment you have been through. Godspeed to you!
Hang in there, this year has to be better for everyone.
I'm so very happy for you that your son is safe and sound!
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Oh wow, your post gave me goosebumps. I am sending you HUGE hugs and thanks that your son is safe and that you are in a much better place.
I don't have children so I have no idea, but big hugs.
I can kind of understand what you're going through. The last time we went to war with Iraq (with the first President bush), two of my step-brothers were stationed over in Germany and I was petrified to were going to get called into the war. Fortunately, they weren't. I also know how different things can be from one year to the next.
Margay
Thanks to everyone for your comments. I appreciate it and for anyone who is going through this now, please know you are not alone. Feel free to comment or tell your story. It's a huge help, believe me. And I was so blessed to have those who loved me around to help me through that. I'm a firm believer that this is going to be a better year. :)
Laura :)
Post a Comment