[ohioWfan]

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, TEXOKIE.

It's going to be a rough Thanksgiving, and Christmas season, but we know that God is faithful, and that HIS way is perfect.

It just hurts sometimes.......

[TEXOKIE]

You are welcome for the prayers, ohioWfan. I understand the pain of having a family member out of pocket in harm's way. It is not easy. I know we all continue in our prayers for you and your family as well as all the troops and families on our List to be reunited in the fullness of time.

Part of what has motivated me in participating in a vigil with all our Prayer Warriors is the recognition in my mature years of the price some of my family members have paid through their service. To one family member in particular I give attention.

I was a 'bizzy kid' when my brother was in Viet Nam. As a kid, I was of course just totally and supremely confident at some level that it was my BROTHER...and of COURSE he would come home! There was simply no other possibility. The sense of immortality that the young have, in my case, was extended to my perceptions about my brother. Fortunately, he DID come home safe.

However, in recent years, I have come to recognize that while I appreciated my brother's service, and I was not at all falling for the anti-war clap-trap of the times, I did not support him as much as I could have even though I felt that hole in our family while he was gone. I have regretted that failing. I am grateful that my parents had the understanding of what needed to be done to hold vigil for him. Much of what I do here on our thread is in honor of my brother. It is late. But it is sincere.