So there's this picture on my wall...

[ewagner]

I took this picture about seven years ago.

The focal point is my son crossing the finish line in a high school track meet 4 x 400 relay but that's not what caught my eye.

In the background is one of his team mates on the sideline cheering madly for my son. He's also wearing the track uniform.

Two weeks ago, I saw that kid in another uniform. He was with the local National Guard Unit that was being given a community "farewell" in our town.

This morning I happened to glance up at the picture and notice the kid in the background and my mind immediately flashed to the image of him last week in his "camos" and beret marching past me with his unit into the field-house.

He never was the fastest runner on the team. But he would run his heart out for his team mates. He wasn't the brightest kid in school either but he made up for it in pure dogged determination. We had the kids over for breakfasts after their summer-time morning workouts and this kid was always polite and a welcome guest.

Now, today, I fear for him.

He'll be in Iraq in a month or two. I'll keep him in my thoughts and pray or meditate or do whatever I can muster up spiritually for his safety.

And I'll look at that picture on my wall more often.

[Rainbowreflect]

1. All the words I can think of to reply to what you have written seem

very inadequate. Instead I will just say thank you for sharing.

[annabanana]

2. I can see him too..

thanks to your words. And I will think of him.