Meatgrinder…
Tiffany alluded to the phrase I said recently, when I told her of a pretty rough experience a few days ago.
I was at one of the hospitals - taking care of some MEDEVAC process and procedural business when a patient arrived in the ER. The patient was a local national and screaming from the pain. However, this scream sounded shallow and pitched. I walked in the ER to observe an unfortunate sight - it was a young boy. He was carried in by his father, between the ages of our two sons, in incredible pain, and naked. His little body had been burnt and included about half of his face. The attending quickly administered a strong sedative to calm him, his father, and the on-lookers.
He was a handsome young boy, who had been engulfed in a fire. What caused the fire, or how he was injured, is unknown and inconsequential.
I was in the room with some of my guys, but none of which had children. It certainly got their attention - but not to the extent it affected me, as a father. I stayed for awhile observing and speaking to the hospital commander to ensure the boy would be ok. He assured me that he would live and that the recovery road ahead would only be stalled if infection set in.
We have experienced and witnessed quite a bit, but always with the expectation that the injuries and casualties would be adults. Watching the young boy was the most painful experience I have been exposed to thus far. It was gut-wrenching.
There is a lot of pain here - everywhere.
Tim,
I can’t even imagine what you went through just seeing that. With two boys of my own, I had to just shut my eyes and think of something else in the middle of reading it. Futhermore I know seeing it with your own eyes, and having a connection, father to father, if even from a distance, had to be brutal. Tim, these are the kinds of sacrifices you are making every day over there, and we at home have an incredible debt to you and many others out there. War is hell. However, I know you are strong and you will get through this. I look forward to the day you come back.
Chuck - October 15th, 2007 at 11:14 pmI hope you sleep well knowing that your two little guys are tucked soundly in their beds. Your post brings great perspective to how fortunate we truly are to provide our children with very basic things like…safety, shelter and care.
I saw a great quote today.
TODAY IS A GIFT THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED PRESENT.
Your pal.
tiffany - October 15th, 2007 at 11:25 pmDear Tim,
I just had a few moments to get caught up on the blog after some time. It was a roller coaster of emotion (as usual) watching my dear friend’s family go through something unimaginable in so many ways.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so far away, miss birthdays and big changes. I can’t fathom being 100% in charge of a whole family of pukers with no reserves on the way, to handle all unexpected but necessary measures of discipline alone or to just plain go to bed every night by myself. But the types of things your witnessing go so far beyond that stuff… I just don’t know how you do it.
We are truly blessed because of your sacrife and that of those around you. Thank you again and again for all that you are doing. You and your guys are the best, and the STONER SIX is really something else entirely!
We’ll travel to your place this weekend. We can’t wait to see your team, but we so wish that you were going to be there, too.
Thanks, Tim.
Molly Anderson
Molly - October 17th, 2007 at 2:54 pm