When they never come home

We mourn soldiers who die in a war zone.  There are many who physically die, but there are more who return home physically but not mentally.  Those who lost their lives, well their trials and tribulations are over, there can be closure for families. Those who die emotionally, their problems are simply just beginning.  Loved ones can grasp a physical death, while the emotional and many times, mental deaths are much, much harder to come to grips with.

  It has finally been determined that many veterans from every war ever fought have suffered from this condition.  The difference in those past wars, to present, is that PTSD was shoved under the carpet until our modern era.  Many liked to name the condition shell shock, that way no government officials felt any responsibility for admitting that the war itself caused it.  This was one way of just being off the hook for government officials and military officials.  For if they did admit it might be service related, they knew they would be wide open to a host of payments for a service related condition.  When it comes to money, well, military and government officials are very good at dodging that bullet, so to speak. 

This is the story, my story, of living with PTSD at its heights.  It is a story of how, for years, no one would acknowledge that this troublesome condition even existed.  If it were up to government officials and armchair generals, it still wouldn't exist.  First off, my hat goes off to Vietnam Veterans who got the ball rolling when it comes to not allowing it to be swept under the rug.  Also to the present day veterans who didn't drop the ball and who now carry the torch of justice for all veterans who come home with this condition.  Only those who have lived with it, spouses, parents, children and most of all, the veterans themselves, really know and understand the nightmare that is PTSD.

While the world is applauding a new movie about a famous sniper, what happens to the everyday veteran who is not famous?  Is he or she any less value?  No, and this series of blogs is dedicated to the men and women who went into the unknown, who felt a calling to serve their country, who have refused to 'go gently into that good night' quietly.  For their lives are of major importance whether you know their names or not. 

Looking for heroes

Bonding is always a good thing.

I found this picture in my files and every time I look at it, I can't help but smile.  Snowflake, an abandoned kitten we found in our backyard almost a year ago.  We even wrote a children's book about him.  Sometimes I think: maybe he found us, but however it came about, here he is. 

My husband often told me how 'he's just not a cat person' and I believed him, that is until he went out in the dark night and rescued a kitten I heard crying for help.  Ever since he brought Snowflake in, they have been very close.  

I see them and often think about how we sometimes whine about things we don't have.  I often feel like that too, dwelling on what I think I need, then I look at this picture and understand.  I see a little kitten, lost, abandoned, alone, tired and hungry and realize what we need or want is often quite simple.  Once in a while all we need is someone to rescue us.  A hero?  Perhaps, but heroes come in all shapes and sizes.  The hero we need is a loved one, a close relative, or close friend, some one to listen to us, to our fears and help us put our whines into perspective.  

Growing up, we had Superman, The Lone Ranger and the like.  Those heroes don't exist, but they filled our heads, as kids, with the notion that heroes are good.  While watching The Hunger Games, I could see this same idea in action in our 21st Century notions too.  Heroes have not gone out of style.  When Katniss understands how fearful her sister is when chosen to play the Hunger Games, she steps forward to take her place.  She is a hero.  Then it is stated by the announcer that 'never before in the Hunger Game's history, has anyone ever volunteered' this is The Hero's Journey that author Joseph Campbell talks about.  You then come to realize that all good stories, all good journeys, real or fictional, have a hero.

Steve is the hero to Snowflake.  Snowflake's needs are small.  He needs food, shelter, and above all, someone when he wants comfort.  Don't we all just really need those same things?  So when you have a good friend, treat them well, treat loved ones well, for they, in various times of our lives, can be our heroes.  Hopefully we can all pay it forward and be a hero to someone else when they need us too.

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