Whose idea was it that men shouldn't cry? They have just as many feelings as women, and women are allowed! Maybe we should just put in a good ole'sad movie and have a good cry together.
My heart has been touched by so many good men and women as I get to know these soldiers. They miss their families. They work so hard to succeed against daily opposition. They are tried and tested to see if they are "man enough" to put their lives on the line for those people and principles that they hold dear. These men know that they might die. They are not afraid but they know.
This week two of our soldiers got bad news. The first came prepared to teach our Priesthood lesson on Sunday. He had received word from his fiance that she was having problems with the relationship. He gave a great lesson, but his heart was heavy. Then later as I visited with another soldier I learned that his girlfriend had informed him this that "they needed to take a step back". His heart was also sad.
As I sat by a third soldier, I saw him wipe away tears. It wasn't a tender part of the lesson either. I knew that he was missing his wife and child. The soldier giving the opening prayer in sacrament meeting was so touched by the Spirit that he had a hard time finishing the prayer, as his voice choked back tears.
On Saturday the news was filled with the story of the 31 Special Forces American Soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Words cannot express what we feel when we think of our own soldiers who are training for the very same kind of situation that those soldiers were in. Many of those killed were trained in Virginia. As our soldiers yearn to be with their families, our hearts reach out to those families who will never welcome their soldiers into their arms again in this life.
Oh how I love my Savior and what he has suffered for all of us. It gives my soul rest and makes me smile through my tears.
: (. I am sorry for all of the bad and sad news this week. I am glad to know that sadness can be softened by the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior. I hope the Comforter will help your soldiers through their sad times. And, also that He will be will be there for the families of all the soldiers that passed away this month.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these emotions with us and sharing you love & service to those on the base. I agree- it is especially heart wrenching to see a man get teary eyed- a Warrior in body, but also possess a soft heart. Those men and women give so much for us all. I am sure they are WARRIORS in Heavenly Fathers eyes as well.
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