I don’t know much about soldiers… I know they fight with courage, passion, endure many hardships, sometimes they live in extreme heat, often they are far away from home, and many times they miss those special moments in life all for the country they love.
Today I had a “soldier” moment….I may not be fighting in “the war” but sometimes living alone in another country so very far away from home doing what you love best…Studying the language….sometimes feels like a battle. Somedays, if you let it, the culture can overpower you…it’s difficult living a culture that’s not your own. Other days, you just smile because you know what got you where you are and that.. is passion. ☺
Today was a typical Sunday afternoon over here, I was coming home from lunch, grabbed some groceries, walked home, checked my mail, got some mail, began the 45 second ascent to my house via elevator, opened the letter…started to read it and when the doors opened all I could do was take one step out and that was as far as I could make it. I didn’t do the dramatic fall to the knees “WHOA” as I read the letter…but more so the “Asain squat” surrounded by my groceries and then the tears came…. The letter was from THEM…. I haven’t talked to “them” in a few weeks, but the letters spoke more to me than any phone call could do.
“During college you were always busy learning or working. It didn’t bother us too much because we saw you ever now and then. You gave us a hug and we gave you a hug…it’s different now that you are 10,000 miles away…”
“I stopped working in the garden and looked across the valley and saw a beautiful sunset and thought of you.”
“During the summer I missed walking down the beach with you and now that it’s fall I wish you were here so we could all ride up the mountains and get some fudge!”
8…yes 8 handwritten letters from a brother of few words and sweet sister who is full of love. The letters were just a glimpse into 8 days of their lives… days that I would have never known about. Thanks sweet brother and sister for taking the time to speak my love language and write me some letters! I love and miss you so so so much!
We are SO proud of you! We hope you constantly feel our words of love murmured up to the heavens and feel our arms surrounding you….across the miles
i almost cried reading this – love you dear friend!