The Sweetest Woman on the Planet Goes to Baghdad
|
|
| CPT Patti The Sweetest Woman on the Planet Goes to Baghdad |
|
|
Wednesday, July 14, 2004 MOMENTS OF REFLECTION I've not had the chance to share this with you until now. Those of you who have walked this journey with us might appreciate the thoughts I had in the last hour before the reunion. Many of you know of Sarah whose husband Russ has been deployed about 5 months with the 1st Infantry Division. On Sunday, while awaiting the time for the reunion ceremony to roll around, I sat in my office and wrote down my thoughts. I did so in a note to Sarah, for reasons I explain late in that note. This was my reflecting just before reuniting with my darling wife. Sarah -And just a P.S. on this. The "big exhale" came at about 2:35. A large formation of nearly 200 soldiers, all dressed exactly alike, marched into the gym. I didn't see her...I wondered if another formation were coming. Then - on the back row of the formation, nearly the other end of the gym, believe it or not, I spied that 50,000 watt smile peeking out from under the brim of her Boonie hat. It was a very, very brief ceremony. And upon the command of "Dismissed", the formation broke into a mass of excited people swimming through the crowd to get that first hug. She made it across the gym by the time I stepped down from the bleachers. And there she was...brown faced, cute as ever, and - well - here. The big exhale came...and with it, the tears...the kind of tears that gush and flow...the kind of tears one never apologizes for. The kind of tears about which mothers explain to their children "not all tears mean that you are sad." And the hug. The kind of hug that clamps down like a bear trap, and would be just as difficult to escape from supposing one were so inclined. Which of course, we weren't. And all of a sudden we are in the same space and time. And blessed. posted by Tim Fitzgerald | Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Comments:
Oh Tim that was so eloquent. You and your lovely wife Patti do have a way with misting up my eyes. Thankyou.
Oh, I am in tears right now. Tim, that is so beautiful. I've done one such homecoming, and your writing brought back those memories, as well as the homecoming I anticipate in a few months.
If someone like you loves someone like Cpt. Patti so much, you must be two of the most wonderful people on the planet. I wish you both the best.
count me as a third person with tears in his eyes.reading that was just a beautiful experience and your true love for Capt. Patti is an inspiration for me. thanks for your willingness to share these moments in your lives. i have found them something to hang on to in these difficult times. scott holmes
# posted by
 : 4:41 PM
Tim,
When Ryan left for Iraq in April 2003 I was desperate to find someone to help me understand what I didn't already know about the Army, I was reaching and grasping for someone or something to hang on to when I was down and out,someone who could say the word and turn me around in the right direction. When I was led to CPT Patti's site it was a blessing and a comfort, I really needed to read your insightful thoughts. They are so much like my thoughts. I don't have a way with words as you do. Many a times I would read what you wrote and say to myself, I wish I could write like Tim, so eloquent, and full of deep emotion and truth... You really need to sit and think about someday maybe writing a book about all that you have experienced during your time of seperation from Patti. All of us who have had a love one go to war know that the emotional ride is a ride they will never forget, but each time I read something you have written I think to myself I wish Tim would write a book and put this all on paper..Well today as I read your note to Sarah I again had those thoughts. I remember when Patti first left you had mentioned how lucky you were to have her in your life, well I don't think it was luck at all, I think it was meant to be, both of you are God's gift to one another. May you both always remember that..... I am forever grateful to you Tim, and to Patti...........God Bless you both!
Thank you for your post. After 439 days I'm down to my final few hours, and in reading your blog instead of being in a panic I'm enjoying my last hours alone and reflecting on all that has happened this past year.
# posted by
: 8:48 PM
Can't wait! Can't wait!! Hopefully sometime this Fri,Sat or Sunday!!
Thank you for putting this to "paper". Blessings to you and Patti! Holly ps--I will miss our philisophical chats under the tree but such is life!
Tim
Your words take me back to a place many years ago when I stood in that formation. I am proud you are my bro. I rejoice that you two are now starting over every day from here.
Tim, I received your Post on Wednesday. I have read and reread it more several times each day. As others, I too, have shed tears.You have been blessed by God who created the love you and Patti have. Your friends
both known and unknown and your family who loves you dearly. I thank you for the 'moments' you put into words for all of us. I also thank God for letting me be your Mom.
Thank you for generously sharing your journey and all your information gathering with us readers. I wish you many blessings and and extending period of R&R.
Post a Comment
God Bless and Best Wishes, SzaffireBlue # posted by
: 12:29 AM
<< Home |
|
|
 | ||||||||||||||||||
