Hat tip to a link from Deanies inkblots

I like this song because it talks about war being generational. I know my mom's experience has been different, as has my sisters'. I know my son has had to deal with his mothers and grandfather's ghosts, and my husband has his own experiences as well as his fathers legacy. My daughter grows and matures before my eyes, as I see her cope not only with her own life but gradually accepting the supportive role now for the rest of us.

War is central to life like birth, illness, marriage, and children. It's just not a trival thing. Those crazy people in Washington still seem to think they can have a war and control and contain the consequences. They are all nuts.

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My grandfather was in his eighties, and became very ill and we weren't sure he was going to survive. I was sitting with him one afternoon, and he was in a great deal of pain. His breathing was difficult, and perhaps he thought he might die as well. He took my hand while I sat there and told me the worst day of his life was the day he took my sister and I out in our stroller and on that walk he told us that our dad wasn't coming home. I told him it was all right, Grandpa, and I held his hand and told him that it was all going to be ok.

War is with us again now and will be woven into the rest of our lives.

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I distinctly remember growing up and my mom apologizing for breaking down on occasion and grieving for my father, as if there is a time limit on how long it was acceptable to cry real tears.

you don't cry for heros.

you celebrate them.

craziness.

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Upon reflection, there is a time for the celebration of courage and sacrifice as well as grief.

But when all there is is celebration, then eventually all you end up with is a lack of understanding of the sacrifice and a willingness to spend other peoples lives because it personally costs you nothing.

I still think every Congressman and the President should be mandated to spend half of each day down at Walter Reed changing bed pans, wrapping wounds, and comforting the families. They need the experience, so maybe they could make better decisions.

Just my opinion.