Late last night, just as I was preparing to sign off, an email popped into my mailbox from Gabe. I was so happy to see it being as it had been over a week since I had last heard from him. But my joy was very short lived. One of Gabe's friends had been killed a few days earlier.
I can't begin to describe the emotions I felt reading that email. I read it over and over, hoping that I had misread it during the previous times, but the words remained the same. Yes, Gabe was there at the time. Yes, he is fine, and safe, or at least as fine as a young man can be after experiencing the tragic death of a very close friend, and as safe as one can be in that region of the world. I tried to write back to Gabe with words of condolences, of shared grief, words of comfort, but I couldn't think of any. The thoughts that kept popping into my head were more along the lines of 'Oh my God, that could have been Gabe, Thank God it wasn't!'
I sent an email back to Gabe as soon as I found the ability to type, and miraculously the phone rang almost immediately after. It was Gabe. The relief was instantaneous. He sounded so different, and so sad. I just wanted to take him in my arms like I used to do when he was little, back when a hug and a kiss would make the hurt go away. It would not work this time, and I knew it.
He says he is fine. He asked us not to worry. I promised no such thing. He promised to be careful. Steve asked him what he wanted us to send him. He said lots of food and ... ravioli? Hahaha! Thats my boy!
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19 comments:
Aww, Dorn. I can't imagine how you are feeling now. Fear, worry, sadness, and most of all, so proud of your son. I will be praying for Gabe's friend and their family in their time of need. And send him extra ravioli from me!
Hugs,
Heather
Poor Gabe! And, I know you feel just horrible for the young man and his family, but it is VERY understandable that your first thought was gratitiude it wasn't Gabe. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} for both of you.
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How fortunate that Gabe has you guys to call and be with during these tough times. I pray he will remain safe while in such a dangerous and hostile environment. My prayers for the family of the friend Gabe lost. Such a tragic loss.
Michael
It was a normal reaction to be glad it wasn't Gabe, I'm so glad he is safe. It must be a constant worry for you. What a tragic thing to happen at this time of year especially. I hope the young mans' family will be able to cope with this tragedy. Such a waste of a young life. Jeannette. http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels
That's funny. We had ravioli today for lunch. I am so sorry to read of the loss of Gabe's friend. My heart aches everytime I hear of a loss and my heart breaks for the families. Your family won't be all together this Thanksgiving because of your son's service to his country. I just wanted to take the time to come by and thank you for the sacrifice your son is making, and your family having to be without him through this holiday season, so that I can be together with my family and do so in freedom. If it were within my power, all of our men and women would be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don't want us to forget them during this holiday season. I don't want us to forget them ever. I put now at the end of every entry, God Bless Our Troops in one form or another. May we all take the ribbon from my journal and pass it on and keep the ribbon in every entry until our men and women are back home. I pray for God to put a hedge of protection of angels around Gabe until he is safe and sound back home with you all. Hang in there, Jody. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, especially Gabe.
Blessings!~
Susan
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You will be most interested in the P.S. in this entry. :)
Keeping Gabe and his buddies in my prayers. What a wonderful young man he is, to work so hard and with such courage to keep me safe (someone he will probably never meet.) My many and never ending thanks. Prayers for all families and our sons and daughters out there being such proud and patriotic Americans.
My thought's and prayers are with Gabe. What a horable thing for Gabe to have to go through. I pray every day that he will make it home safe.
Hugs, R.c.
I'm so glad you got to talk to him if only to ease your mind but it hopfully eased both of you. I think of him often and pray that he is well.
Dianne
Hi Dorn...
Great entry...really makes us appreciate what we have. I hope you have a good and healthy Thanksgiving!
Smiles!
Vincci
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oh, that is scary...and I feel so bad for Gabe, and his friends family. I wish all our guys could come home right now, this has to end soon. Keeping Gabe in my prayers....Sandi
OMG.. i am sooooooo glad it wasn't your son! But it was someone's son and that's so horribly sad.
Please tell Gabe that he's thought of and prayed for by many people he doesn't even know..
I know tomorrow the biggest "thanks" you will give is that Gabe is still ok... go ahead and be greedy and think of only your own right now.. I hope he comes home soon.
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Gabe is different now! I'll keep you and your son and the rest of the mothers, fathers, brothers, et al in my prayers this Thanksgiving!
Glad he got to call.
Tess
I am so glad he is okay. I heard on the news this morning that Ms. Rice is beginning plans to pull out the troops. We can only hope.
...sigh.... sorry 2 hear
glad gabes ok :-)
So glad it wasn't Gabe. Yes they do change when this happens this happened to my son and he is still not right. Praying for Gabe and the others
Deb
I'm glad he's okay. Yes, he's different but he will be okay because he has the love and support of a great family as well as his mother's many fans. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and especially his friends family.
OMG How awful!!! {{ Jody }} {{Gabe}} Happy Turkey Day...
Be well,
Dawn
Oh, God, I am so sorry. I had the first thought that you did--I am so glad it wasn't Gabe, but some other family is heartbroken. I hope someone comforted you later...love, Kas
I'm so sorry. No one sould die, especially like that, and being so young. it's just sad. im sorry for your sons loss, and his friend's parents. take care!!!
~jackie~
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