The Comfort of His Kiss

Buzzy shared the falling of one of our nation's sons...as only he can, being the Warrior that he is... He always has images that sear forever the name and identity of a Soldier on my heart... He did this time as well. As a nation we mourn at this loss... As a woman, I can not even imagine this woman's grief... and then there is the soon to be born son...

 Comfort From His Kiss

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
Lovingly and gently he had placed it on the cheek of his young wife in their bliss.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
My mind reeled knowing how that familiar jester will be missed.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
The news said a young son was on the way, and anguish filled my heart at this.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
I cannot fully know how she will feel as she falls in the abyss.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
I hope she will remember the soft touch of his lips when reality her heart does twist.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
I know that when the young son needs the comfort of his father, he will feel so amiss.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
Having only to touch his mother's cheek, I know he will feel the warmth of his father's kiss.

I heard today of another Soldier fallen through a picture of his kiss.
Together mother and son will have to share sweet memories and reminisce.

We will remember, but that is not enough...  We must support the families of the fallen... until 

they too leave this world...As a nation we have such a grave responsibility, a scared duty to the survivors...

I Do Also Write Poetry Which Is Not About War

Falling

                                                                          

Isaiah 41:10  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

                                                                            Falling

                                                           Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                                          To a terror infinitely cold, depraved, and black.
                                    Such violence and anger  the world has always known.

                                                          Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                                    Her people are dying and their lives and society cracks
                              Her little children suffer in fear, and in their pain they groan.

                                                          Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                                        Relentlessly the evil minded in horrific ways attack.
                           The world listens but seems deaf to the intensity of victim's moans.

                                                        Falling, falling Iraq is falling,
                                         For honor, law, and  democracy it had no knack.
                             Though it was something her people desperately wanted to own.
.
                                                          Falling, falling Iraq is falling,
                              America made efforts but in this we offer little to take up the slack.
                                   Not much it seems there is that can be done by just a drone.

                                                          Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                                  Our own governments advice cannot influence or make a pack.
                                         I wonder, are there things for which we should atone?

                                                         Falling, falling Iraq is falling,
                               Mankind's best efforts and resources once again we find to lack.
                                Many who do not know Him wonder is God still on His throne.

                                                         Falling, falling Iraq is falling,
                                  When will we realize God only can bring her back on track.
                       All will someday know, submission to His love will mend and heal alone.

                                                         Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                                        Pray the Father that His hand He will not hold back.
                               Grieve not that many of His own He is calling to their true home.

                                                        Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                           God's plan is at work, and he who this pain and suffering does wrack, 
                                    Will soon be defeated and never again the world roam.

                                                        Falling, falling, Iraq is falling,
                         We continually try to construct a safe place, but we realize only a shack.
                  Creation will learn God's truth is the only place offering a true protecting dome.

oems, short poems,
                                        All images and this poem are copyrighted to Debra LeCompte, 
                                                                all usual protections and permissions apply.

A Poem Dedicated to Denmark's Finest Sons

Sometimes images make a tremendous impression on me, whether they are painted or some other form of art from the imagination of someone's mind, or photographs of actual events.  I love good photography, it is the capturing of time.   

 Dedicated to Lt. Brian Sorensen, the Royal Danish Navy, and his Band of Brothers 

Last Light

The gunfire is over, the rockets are silent, and once again rule has returned.

Innocents are safe, the fires are out, and now nothing else burns.

The wounded have been borne to the medical shelter for needed care.

Stories have been exchanged of exactly what happened there.

Then steals the pain that they have sustained great loss.

The battle was won, but oh at such a great cost.

Their brother will never again stand to their right

His weapons forever are laid down, and no more will he fight.

Hearts of the brave reel with unseen wounds that cause great pain.

As the sun sets that evening they remember where they found him lain.

His soul, his voice, his laughter, are no longer held in this world.

The flag at half mast signals toward heaven they’ve been hurled.

As the last of the rays which illuminate this their temporary home,

Sink in the distance they chill each silent Soldier to the bone.

Then a final diamond bright light touches the flag pole in farewell.

                            Signaling to each that forever the memory of his life will be held.

Once in a Blue Moon

Did You See That Blue Moon Tonight?

      OOOOOhhhh, AAAAAhhhh, that Blue Moon thing....

Once in a Blue Moon

The Poem I Wrote Which Means the Most to Me

It is not easy to be the wife of a Soldier, especially during war.  I remember what a difficult place in life I found myself when I first wrote this poem.  I thought I had made it.  I thought Randy was coming home to stay.  He was not, he had been gone for two years to Afghanistan and Iraq. When he returned I knew he was called to go back with the State Department.  I wrestled with the Lord on that one, but in the end, I knew he was called. I had known from the first conversation we ever had he was called to be a Soldier, a leader, the kind which is becoming more rare all the time.  He is a soft spoken man, and was never one of those loud, gregarious, and overbearing type of leaders.  When one is quietly confident, it usually relates to accomplishments already made, humility which is sincere, and it is a natural by-product of true honor.

He has been gone another three years, and the opportunity for me to join him in Germany is the only thing that has kept me going for a while now.  I cannot wait.

Sometimes  it is difficult to get a gift for a Soldier, I always think very hard about what to get mine.  For Christmas I got him a little canoe.  When he was a kid he would  go fishing with his dad in a little row boat, his dad has been gone many years now, but he still talks about fishing in that boat with his dad.  Now it is time for Valentine's and I decided that carefully  chosen words of admiration and love were fitting,  I wasn't going to share them with anyone but him, but when he read them, he felt they might speak to others as well... and so here for every Soldier, and everyone who loves a Soldier, words from my heart.  To my beloved, Happy Valentine's Day!

If

If there stood before me 1000 men,

Each of whose lives I had observed again and again.

If I had watched them closely at command,

Of Soldiers, equipment, and resources try to meet war’s great demands.

If I knew their lives, credentials, and previous work,

How they handled things, and I were privy to each little quirk.

If the fate of personal liberty, the freedom of us all,

Hung in the balance, and without the right leadership would forever fall.

If there would be before us, only one chance,

To meet in battle some terrible foe, and the art of war to dance.

If by the wisdom and expertise of only one man,

The defenses of our country would fail or stand.

If you, my love, stood among those men in their rows,

The one whom no other I have ever loved so.

If somehow it were my duty the right decision to deliver,

My mind could easily make the choice, but my heart would quiver.

If I knew the man I chose would never come home,

Could I give what it cost, the most valuable thing I own?

If in my decision, would the moral courage by which I have watched you live,

Empower me to do the right thing, and the sacrifice to give.

If as I considered all that lay in the balance, to me you would clearly state,

What your own choice would be and how you would face your fate.

If, as I know would happen, I knew who stood above the rest.

Could I, in selfishness, select the one who was second best?

If there stood before me 1000 men,

This I pray before God, that I never will know how it ends.

 

I Saw the Sad Eyes

 

  

I Saw the Sad Eyes 

I saw the sad eyes of women who had been betrayed,
By those who from honor, never should have strayed.

They could not have known what would come to them,

 Integrity was pledged and they believed without a whim.

In a dark hour their faith and loyalty was shattered. 
Their lives, without regard, left broken and tattered.

 

Time seemed strangled and unable their injuries to mend.
To go on with life seemed to have nowhere to begin.

Then in chorus the sad eyes looked around in panic and pain,
In a moment they knew other eyes revealed the same stain.

                                                                    
 Hearts united and power and change came with more ease,      
 The weakest were lifted first by the women from their knees.

Words and tears were shared and brought balm to their soul wounds.
Slowly in unity they overcame, and the living of lives resumed.

 I saw the sad eyes of women who had been betrayed. 

By those who from honor, never should have strayed.

     

The photos of eyes of women posted as a part of this poem are cropped from pictures taken at the Service Women's Action Network conference in April of 2013. I was privileged to be asked to attend this conference. These women are all survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. There is one exception, the eyes portrayed in black and white at the top of the post, are those of a non-survivor, her father attended the conference, as did several parents of Victims.  Her name was Carrie, she was a Marine, and she took her own life after being unable to cope with the beating and rape she sustained while in service, perpetrated by those serving along side of her.  Her father, a retired Marine works tirelessly to bring justice for her. We gathered to celebrate survival, offer support to one another, to work for change, and to mourn for and remember those who did not survive.  One of our goals was the passage of the Ruth Moore Act, which provides for equal consideration for those Service Members who suffer PTSD due to MST, and provision for the same benefits and services as provided those who suffer PTSD due to combat.  On June 04, 2013, it became law.

Another of our goals was to change how cases of Military Sexual Trauma are investigated and handled, and December of 2013 saw progress in that area as well.  We owe so much to those who serve, our prayers, our love, and our support.  That support should always include demanding that at all times the military operates from a place of sacred duty and honor, and that every Service Member be valued, and promises from our government kept.

A Collection for Women

I first published this page on another blog that I write, and I am republishing it here to present it in the continuity of this series of poems I wrote on women and our experiences in war and to add all of these poems to my poetry blog.  I have written many other poems about all the roles women play in war, and I hope you will read them as well.   Here again I offer some of the thoughts that I experienced as I anticipated a trip to Washington D.C. where I was to visit with two of my "women of war" friends.

I was thinking again this morning about how the women of the world develop relationships of sisterhood in many different shared experiences.  I am certain that a large factor to this is found in the role of motherhood which is a common experience for many women, and a profound role for any woman.  Falling in love with men is another shared  emotional experience that is so life imprinting when it is experienced by a woman. On Friday I am flying into Washington, and part of my anticipation and excitement lies in the spending of time with two cherished women who are among the strongest in mind, heart, and spirit of my women friends.  One is a relatively new friend, and I am delighting in coming to know more about her life, her interests, where she draws her incredible strength from, her life challenges, and her strategies for meeting them.  For in these observations, I will gain strength and skills for my own life, and I hope too, to share the skills that I have won in my life in order to give empowerment and encouragement to her.  The other friend I have had for awhile, and come to deeply admire.  When something is truly challenging in my life, I seek out her wisdom.  Her life, and that of her husband are a testimony to what has built and sustained our nation, they are people who have truly offered self-less service to our country, and in essence to the world.  The poem I wrote entitled Rare and Remarkable Women was written in tribute to this amazing friend.  Following that poem you will find several others about the women of war.

Call From a Soldier

 I know from experience with my husband just how frustrating dealing with the Veteran's Administration can be.  There are those who have come home from war with wounds both visible and invisible who must rely on the V.A. to meet their continuing need for medical care.  Unless you have experienced the trial of trying to obtain services from the V.A., you can't imagine how frustrating the process can be.  I truly believe it is purposely designed that way to cause some looking for services to give up, and stop seeking the help they need.  Some of the stress of seeking needed medical care can be due to individuals who are employed by the V.A. who for unknown reasons seem to enjoy making obtaining their benefits difficult, because those individuals are not caring people, in fact they enjoy the power they wield over service members.  No matter what the reason, the frustration and stress should not exist for those who have borne the burden of the last twelve years of the present conflict.

Call From A Soldier

I received a call from a Soldier today.

He was struggling and found himself again in dismay.

As I listened sadness swept over me, many times for these brave I have made defense,

Sometimes the way we treat our Soldiers just doesn’t make sense.

We ask so much, take so much then profess great care.

But when it comes down to it, the burden they have to bear.

We make them wade through paperwork and bureaucracy without end.

We appoint them an advocate, but really for themselves they must fend.

“Jump through this hoop, sign here, and go to that corner and stand.”

There are so many requirements and so many demands.

Everyone knows that to these valiant warriors we all owe,

How is it then that in the end we become the foe?

When they reach the brink of what they can shoulder,

They tend to give up, walk away, as their resentments begin to smolder.

I wonder often if the system is not of such a design,

As to so discourage a Soldier that they give up in time.

When an enemy stands sinister and dark at the door,

The whole world looks to these men and women and implores.

Leadership with lofty words sends them out,

Their mission is the enemies of freedom to rout.

Of all the debts that the people of a nation share,

Is there one like we owe to these men and women that can compare?

I received a call from a man who used to be a Soldier today,

He was struggling and again found himself in dismay.

Dedicated to Jared Campbell and all those who have so nobly served with him, may this nation always remember and respect what they have given.  March 2011.

For of Such is the Kingdom of God

I learned of something yesterday that made my heart catch in complete happiness.  My little Kenna Bear made a profession of faith on Sunday while at church.  She is the youngest of our grand-children, has spent a great deal of time in my arms since she was born, and shared her soul with me.  To learn of her sealing of her heart to the Father caused tears of blessedness for me.  One of the most difficult things I face as we move to the Middle East is the separation from our grand-children, nothing in this world means more to us.  Seeing them come to the Lord ensures that one day we will leave this world to spend eternity in our forever home, and never be separated from, or lonely for them again.  When I am absent from the presence of our grand-children I am in constant loneliness for them.  Being with them is the greatest delight I experience in this life, along with being with my husband and our children.

 I love this picture of McKenna, it really captures her insides... which are so lovely!

When my husband first deployed to war in April of 2009, you would never have been able to convince me that there would be but one blessings that would come to us.  The sacrifice that separation has required from me I do not have the words to convey , and other than knowing that we both were fulfilling God's will in our lives by Randy's service, I anticipated nothing but the blessing that comes from that.  However, God being God, there were and are so many rich blessings, I can no longer count them all.  Some of those blessings have been of such a surprising nature.  Coming to know Canon Andrew White, because of Randy's service with first the Army, and then the State Department has been one of those surprise blessings.  He is known the world over as The Vicar of Baghdad, and known to our hearts as a dear friend, and a pastor to the people of Baghdad who desire to know the True and Living God.  An even greater blessing has come with coming to know some of the people he pastors, and to love them as family.  We rejoice with them when they rejoice, and mourn with them when they mourn, and the people of Iraq have come to be knit to our hearts, as we have seen God's great love for them, how He cherishes and provides for them, even as great evil attacks and causes them to suffer desperately.

One day Andrew posted to Facebook the following story, which reflected so vividly what life as a Christian is like in the Middle East.  It will cost you something more than the usual to follow Him in Baghdad Iraq, and those Brothers and Sisters in the Lord have my prayers everyday.  After the events portrayed in the story below, what I learned from these little children became another rich blessing from God. I would never have known all these little children have taught me without Randy's willingness to serve our country and our people in the United States Army and the State Department.  I thank God everyday for men such as my husband and Canon Andrew White, and for the children of St. George's Church, who love God, and with joy and abandon claiming Him Lord and Savior.  May God be with them daily as they struggle and triumph in the face of adversity such as I have never known.  Knowing of their lives, seeing their faces which reflect their innocence, joy, peace, and God's amazing love, causes a sensation in me of awe and wonder at what God has done, and is doing, in Iraq.  Had their lives been taken that day by the terrorists, they would have instantly been transported to their forever home to be with the God they love, and that is the ultimate of obtaining blessing.  Instead they were protected by our God, and left in this world a witness to the joy and peace that God brings to every true believer, no matter what the circumstances they face in this world.  As Matthew 19:14 so beautifully states, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Below you will find what I wrote in tribute to the beautiful children of St. George's Church, Baghdad, Iraq, the day that God spared their lives to leave them in this world as a testimony for all to see of true love and devotion to God, and for each of us to be blessed by.  I thank you Father God for their lives, for their love of You and the testimony of their love, and as on each day is my habit, I ask your favor and blessings for them today, may they know they are loved by You, and by me.

I love photographs, truly one picture can be worth a thousand words, Al Hassan H. Fahmi, of Baghdad, Iraq took this one. Last Tuesday, a week ago, as a group of children from St. George Church, Baghdad, Iraq, were on their way by bus to church for their communion classes, a suicide bomber left this world for the next as their bus passed.  He was Taliban of Al Qaeda, and the purpose of this bombing is believed to have been an effort to free Taliban members held prisoner in a nearby Iraqi jail.  As the children later related the story to their pastor and our dear friend, Brother Andrew White, they told him that they began singing and praying, because God had delivered and protected them from the blast.  These children know well the explosions of violence which occur daily in Iraq.  In their lifetimes all they have ever known is war.  They were born during war, and its horrors and its thefts of security and peace are constant companions to them and everyone else in Iraq.  Yet the faith in Jesus Christ of these children did not leave them crying and screaming at the death and injuries around them, but because of  their faith, they remained calm as the bus sped on, trying to escape the danger.

They had not escaped at that point however, and another huge blast shook the bus, blowing out all the windows and badly damaging the bus.  Here is Brother Andrew's account of what happened:

From Baghdad, Canon White
Terrible Bomb Blast of Our Children’s Bus and They're  All Alive

Dear Friends,

We are used to of bad days but today it has been in a different league. Central to our work and ministry here are our children. One of the biggest services of the year is when some of our children have there first communion. This service at the end of August. The children prepare everyday with

about two hours of sessions. They all come to church in our bus and are then taken home.

As they were on their way home today they were caught up in a major bomb. The bus was not too badly damaged and it continued it journey. All of children started singing the Lords Prayer. As they were in the midst of their prayer a huge bomb exploded. All the glass of the windows shattered, people fell to the floor injured and one of the teachers was in a very bad way. They were all taken to hospital but were all discharged as none of them had life threatening illnesses. In a normal country there is no way that some of the teachers would have been discharged. One person was hardly breathing and in profound shock. She was brought to the church and I looked after her until she was more stable. Only then could I leave to visit all the children.

It was wonderful seeing all the children. Despite their injuries they were all smiling, their parents were not some were in floods of tears on learning what happened. The fact is that today was miraculous. When you see the state of the bus it is simply a major miracle that nobody died or was more seriously injured. The children knew quite clearly why, they just kept telling me that they were alright because they were praying and G-d was with them and He was.

Many tears were shed and there are huge things still to do and there are people who still need treatment. Please pray for us as we try and recover from another trauma.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings,

Andrew

While they were badly shaken, and of course needed comfort, they are doing very well now.  A couple of days later, Brother Andrew posted the picture at this link, and I have not been able to escape its captivating message, you won't be either...

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151159402041369&set=a.65409196368.79084.617111368&type=1&theater

I wrote the following poem in tribute to these amazing children, and God's power and glory! 

For of Such is the Kingdom of God

The picture I see shows them smiling and beguiling, love and peace is seen in each eye.

Some would not understand how it can be that these beautiful children do not cry.

Death brushed by these happy young faithful, and from the crowd took nineteen.

Enemies within had brought death, and until the destruction, had remained unseen.

With the first blast of violence, in the bus they began sweetly to pray and sing,

Like Paul when he was in prison in a hole in the ground, and God gave him wings.

Then came the second roaring blast, which left their bus shattered and damaged.

God’s guardian angels brought His protection, to these precious, no harm was managed.

God’s divine knowledge and understanding, we know our children does not always spare.

Even then in life wrecking grief, we know always the sure mercies of His love and care.

This time, while I do not comprehend what hidden wisdom has held back His hand,

I find such faith in their young lives, and inspiration, as they for Jesus take their stand.

This miracle reminds me of words spoken long ago to little children by the one who is My Rock.

When he said, “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, so fear not little flock.”

I sometimes worry about Brother Andrew, as he travels the world seeking support for the Christians of St. George, they do not have an easy life.  At any moment their faith could cost them, or someone they love, their life.  You will find links on Brother Andrew's facebook page,  and the St. George's page where you can make your own pledge of support for the work in Iraq, and follow there what The Living God is doing in Iraq.  God's blessings will surely be yours if you keep these faithful in Iraq, especially these beautiful and courageous young Christians, in your prayers.