A Moment that Changed my Life
It
was 4am when I awoke to my bunkmate’s alarm clock’s annoying buzzard sound. By
4:30 we both were marching up the hill to the armory to collect our weapons. As
we marched I was there, but somewhat not there. I felt as if my body was
present, but my mind was home with my family, safe. I had prayed every night since
I was told I was on the list, but my anxiety and thoughts of the unknown
consumed me that early morning. “God!” please keep me safe please, please. I
promise to be a better daughter, sister, aunt, and friend I said myself. In the
midst of my despair, I stepped over it and almost didn’t notice it lying there
all shiny and alone. I examined the shiny object for a few seconds before I bent
over and curiously picked it up. I was stunned to realize what I was holding
that I smiled with great relief. A round shaped sliver coin-like object with an
Angel on one side and the word ‘strength’ on the opposite side. This one simple moment in my life marked the
beginning of a journey that forever changed my life. Finding this object in the early morning darkness
had me in astonished. This was a sign that I would not take lightly. I embraced
it for what was and was relieved that he heard my prayers. “I will be okay, I
will make it home safe. I will”. I placed the object in my front left pocket of
my cammies right next to my heart, it’s new home.
I I
soon found myself in a foreign place where the heat was so hot I felt the sweat dripping down my back. Every night for
what was like an eternity in the desert I would look at this object and pray.
The pendant became my strength and reminded me to stay strong and not fear and
so I did, all the way home.
No comments:
Post a Comment