The lost N.Y. tourist asked, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"
The wise ass New Yorker replied, "Practice, practice."
**
BOOM. RATATATAT. BOOM. BOOM.
The explosions rattled my brain, as well as my windows. The dogs started barking and running in fright. I hoped it would end soon.
How do you get to war? Practice, practice.
The military base, on the other side of my mountains, was holding a dress rehearsal. I wondered what real war feels like. I thought of how much I hate it.
Then I remembered that my nephew recently returned from war. Another wonderful relative is a Navy Seal. My own husband was in the military many years ago, and I used to provide counseling to soldiers at the nearby missile range.
A few nights ago, I attended a party honoring my friend's daughter who was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. He glowed with pride that his "little girl" was not only in the same branch of the military, but she surpassed his rank.
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So proudly, her father pins on her stripes.
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A young man who attended the party referred to his military experience. "I'm so grateful that I joined. I grew up because of it. It changed my life." He hadn't been successful in school and admitted he was at risk of making bad choices. He seemed like a real good guy now, apparently responsible, and definitely appropriately sociable.
**
BOOM. BOOM.
Clearly my hatred of war is incongruous with my love of warriors. Or is it?
My head started pounding.
How do you get to peace? Practice, practice.
The explosions stopped, the dogs calmed down. I sat quietly for a few minutes and I wondered if I love peace as much as I hate war. I have more questions than answers about so many things.
I breathed deeply. My headache subsided.
Just then, my husband came home. I kissed him lovingly, put on some soft music. We shared a meal and talked about the mundane - agreeing and disagreeing about many things.
For those moments at least,
I hope,
We practiced.
Peace.
practicing peace is a good things...and it starts at home... smiles..
ReplyDeletei have high respect for people who join the army to protect their land - and just yesterday i read a quote by dietrich bonnhoefer, saying:
“There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. --Dietrich Bonnhoefer... still thinking about it..
peace....i think we def need to practice more of that...and there is certainly a price for that peace...i am highly appreciative of those that give us that choice...but can not stand the politicos that would send them off to war for greed...
DeleteOh, Myrna, this was lovely and so meaningful...as always with your writing. I wrote a bit of a comment a few minutes ago, but I think it got lost...so I hope there won't be two from me. But now of course, I don't remember what I was saying! Thank you for this, though!
ReplyDeletewonderfully wise!
ReplyDeletebless the Vets and active duty
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Hello Myrna. Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteWe are living in times filled with much trials & tribulations, which will only get worse before it can get better.
Wherever my wife is, that's where I seek & find peace & comfort.
On a brighter note, I am having a celebration...it's my 1st Blogoversary! I have prepared a special post to thank all my readers & friends for supporting me throughout this past year. I am extremely grateful for your encouragement & friendship & have a gift for you. I hope you will honor me by accepting it. Please come to my blog when you get a chance.
Enjoy the weekend, my dear!
Special Celebration (Part.2):It's My Blogoversary!
Alex was deployed with his until during the Iraq War for a year. I hated having him gone. But I mostly hated the talk (immoral war, blah blah). When your husband, son, wife, or daughter is in harms way, people need to be a little more sensitive in what they say. Your loved ones are risking their very lives for them.
ReplyDeleteAlex was deployed with his until during the Iraq War for a year. I hated having him gone. But I mostly hated the talk (immoral war, blah blah). When your husband, son, wife, or daughter is in harms way, people need to be a little more sensitive in what they say. Your loved ones are risking their very lives for them.
ReplyDelete