Yesterday I communicated via email to a friend who I had not talked to in some time. In my message I commented that my son was on an engineering assignment in Saudi Arabia…and how I was so looking forward to his safe return home. Her response riveted through me, “My son is in Iraq over this holiday weekend, and I will also be glad when he is back safe and sound.”
I had no idea her son was there. I paused to reflect on my son’s friends who had served and are serving in the armed forces. As I examined their faces in my mind’s eye, I saw the little boys and little girls he used to ride bikes and catch bugs with. I saw the little kids that would excitedly run up to me exclaiming, “Mama Rosie!” Now they are riding tanks and carrying guns and sending messages from the other side of the globe saying, “Tell Mama Rosie hi.” Oh how mothers’ hearts ache for the safe return of their precious sons and daughters.
I then thought about the story my dad told when he was serving in the army in Europe in World War II. Food was scarce and servings were rationed. Everyone was so very hungry. They had captured some soldiers, holding them prisoners. He took some of his potatoes and shared them with the captured soldiers. His rationale? “They were just boys like us.” No matter what “side” they were on, all the young men belonged to some mother and father somewhere whose hearts ached for their safe return.
Memorial Day, 2009. Are we any closer to having our young sons and daughters home safe and sound? Perhaps the best thing we can do is send love to all the young men and women, regardless what “side” they are on. Love is the highest vibrating energy, and if we together muster up enough love, surely we will make a positive impact.
The Ho’oponopono technique I wrote about last week says that everything begins with us individually. The external world is a reflection of our internal self. The first step in the process is saying the words, “I love you.” I suddenly think about the profound wisdom in the words of this song:
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.”
Peace and love be with you and all the young men and women who are away from their home and loved ones this Memorial Day.
