A heartfelt and moving letter from a Canadian Mom. first published in the Gagetown news. Thank you
I support what Canadians are trying to do in Afghanistan and I support our troops in their efforts to bring peace to a war-torn country, but I never want my son to be a part of that peace process.
Kindhearted boy: Theresa Blackburns son, James Chisholm, 12, is a proud member of the #318 Woodstock Cadet Corps. James hopes to be a military chef someday.
Our 12-year-old wants to be a chef, but not the kind who works in fancy resorts or in five-star restaurants in a big city.
James wants to serve meals to military personnel on missions abroad. His theory: soldiers in war zones need the best food to do their best work. He thinks the men and women in our army need to be treated to good, wholesome comforting food when they're away from home. And I can't help but love him for wanting to do something special for the men and women who put their lives in harm's way ...
While I applaud his heart, I worry about mine. I am afraid that his wanting to be involved in the military - specifically the army - could lead to him to becoming not only a chef but a member of the infantry, possibly putting himself in danger.
This past week Afghanistan has been a particularly deadly place - two Canadians, one from CFB Gagetown, were killed. I held my breath when I heard the news about Pte. Kevin McKay. He is a 24-year-old soldier killed there last week.
Later in the week when Don Cherry displayed pictures of him and his family on Hockey Night in Canada, I had a rough time. I listened to how this young man had a passion for life, loved hockey, and was coached by his dad. What got me most was the fact he was only two days away from coming home.
It is the first time I have cried during Coach's Corner.
This young man was only two years older than our daughter, Kristen. This was a young man who could have been my son.
My boy and I share a special bond. We like the same kinds of books, share a love of cooking, have the same kind of personality. He is good at looking at the glass half-full. He's a 'go with the flow' kind of guy and he's as caring as they come.
I get a lump in my throat at the thought of losing him to gunfire or car bombs. I get scared thinking about his career ambitions, knowing it could lead him in other directions.
Frankly, I'm just afraid.
I suspect my thoughts are much the same as that of any soldier's mom.
So how can I say this yet applaud what's going on over there? Our soldiers are fighting what I feel is a just war ... trying to drive the Taliban from these places so people can start leading normal lives, go to school, work, enjoy time with their families instead of worrying about whether their loved ones make it home safe from the supermarket or their workplace.
I struggle with this as I read news reports from there. I know that every soldier who has ever gone to work in the region comes home with a renewed faith in the mission. I think the children in the region have a lot to do with their inspiration. How can you not feel good about helping to bring peace to a region so children can go to school, play in the streets and feel safe again?
But while I want peace and a normal childhood for other people's children, I don't want to lose my own in the process.
I cannot bear the thought of never hugging my children again.
Recently a friend of mine lost his three-week-old daughter to a virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. His daughter caught it while in hospital. I cried when I heard she had died, and prayed for my friend and his wife.
It's made me think that while I want to keep my son safe all through his life, that this probably isn't entirely possible. When I really think about it, I discover that I can't protect him from anything, really. I arm him with the knowledge of right and wrong, safe and dangerous, and then pray that he can remember these life lessons when situations arise.
But as a parent, we forget that a lot of things that could harm our children are beyond our control.
And really, if my son is passionate about the military, ends up being passionate about the infantry, and decides his calling is one that upsets me, how could I ever prevent him from following his dream?
Really, just like my friend who lost his daughter, I don't have much control.
If my son's passions (and fate) bring him into harm's way, all I can really do is pray.
I have no real power ... except in showing my children how much they are loved and accepted in this world.
This letter brings home the thoughts that many Mothers share, fear for their child and their safety.As another son Trooper Rudd is enroute home in his flag draped casket, I say a prayer for him , his family, and indeed his brothers in arms.
Please Support your Troops and the members of the Invisible Army.
Toclose todays Blog on a happier note: Our NATO K-9 troops have been issued new uniforms to sniff out the taliban, while keeping with tradition in the area of Operation.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
