Gabby's Poem

I have the most beautiful grand-daughters.  One of them wanted to write a 

poem, and she asked for my help.  I love Gabby's poem.

 Gabby and her mom Beth.

                                                

 Samantha, Gabby's older sister.

Gabby's Poem  

 

Sometimes even a Soldier needs a quiet place to rest,

When he has worked hard and given his best.

Their children at home offer prayers to God above.

Asking Him to send His protection on wings like a dove.

God hears and answers their sweet prayers.

When their petitions are lifted for the fathers who dare.

To face evil enemies who against our country make war.

Freedom and liberty are what they are standing for.

They ask the Heavenly Father their mom or dad to defend,

As the struggle goes on to make the fighting end. 

Two of my grand-daughters are from a military back-ground, including Gabby and her older sister Samantha.Their mother was a Soldier for eight years, and she now works in the civilian side for the Army Corps of  Engineers. Their father will shortly retire with 20 years of service.  The girls just returned last June from living in Germany as their father served the country there in the military, and their mother served in the civilian sector. Their uncle was seriously wounded in Iraq in 2003. Another uncle worked in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a contracted electrician. My husband served 30 years.  Their dad deployed five times during the last 12 years, and will shortly deploy again.  The stress and strain of the last 12 years has led to the dissolving of the marriage of their parents.  I will never forget what Samantha said when she was four, and her dad deployed for the first time.  We were riding in the car to Walmart.  She and her cousin were in the back seat, and had grown quiet.  Sam asked, "Nana, does the enemy have families too?"  I felt my heart catch... and I knew I had to answer honestly.  I told her that probably some of them did.  There was a pause, then she asked, "Nana, if my daddy kills their daddy, who will take care of them?"  I took a very long time to answer, as I was praying... Finally I answered, "We will have to let God take care of them..."
 

Gabby with her dolls.

I Came Home to My Daughter

Aunty Brat, my good friend and fellow supporter of the American and Coalition Forces, sent me a note about a Soldier coming home on leave to see, for the first time, his new baby girl.  She was born while he was deployed.  It brought such beautiful images to my mind immediately, and when I went to Aunty's blog and saw her picture, my heart just melted at her sweet little self.

http://assolutatranquillita.blogspot.com/2011/05/every-day-hero-welcome-home.html

To her parents and all her family, thanks for making my day, and thank you all for your service and sacrifice!  We are a grateful nation!  This is what I sent to the new baby and all those who love her.  May she thrive in your love, always live in liberty, and come to know of your sacrifices to the preservation of freedom.

You know, if Aunty Brat says you are a special Soldier, you must indeed be a special Solider. It is always difficult for me to put into words how I feel about Soldiers and their families. When I try to open a ketchup package, and it is difficult for me, there is a thought that never fails to cross my mind. No matter how much I love my country, if it had to depend on me for for some of the most important of the protection needed from its enemies, we women would all be wearing burqas. We must have young men and women of the caliber and skills which you possess, or our heritage of freedom will disappear.... As the sign on my gate says, "Land of the free, because of the brave."

Since my husband went to war, poetry concerning this great conflict has haunted me until I express it. Your homecoming to your new daughter caused beautiful images in my mind. I wrote words that I hope will comfort and empower your family as you serve. So here is my gift to the new baby:

                                               I Came Home to My Daughter

                                   There she lay, so warm, pink, soft, and sweet.
                                               When first we finally did meet.

                                I saw so much of her mother there in her eyes,
       The stamp of my own features on her countenance threatened to make me cry.

                                 Wonder at the first sight of my darling daughter,
                          Swept my soul, and I knew my life she would forever alter.

                                         Feelings too tender for the battlefield,
                            In that moment caused all my vigilance briefly to yield.

                                   Then I realized more clearly than ever before,
                  I was called to war because of an evil good people everywhere deplore.

                               My newborn child and all the children of the world,
                              Need those of us in service, the flag of liberty to unfurl.

                     In my daughter’s face I saw the hope of our world and our nation,
                           Waiting for her contributions, which true peace will hasten.

                        I knew that in a land far away, where long I had stood the wall,
                      Children were seeing first hand our intent in the service of us all.

       As they watch, I know they too will learn,

                         Their own hearts for peace and liberty will come to yearn.

In this the power of the enemy will disappear,

The truth of all our brotherhood will finally do away with all fear.

So though my heart longs to stay,

I will again return to the war zone in just a few short days.

In my mind, images of her gentle beauty,

Will give me strength and bring complete commitment to my sacred duty.

Rock Gently the Cradle Lullaby

 

Rock Gently the Cradle Lullaby 

Rock gently the cradle of the Soldier’s baby where he sleeps.

Make certain he has no need that you have resources to meet.

Who would not with his life his son or daughter defend,

If an enemy stood in plain sight ready to make that child’s life end?

Somewhere across great oceans a Soldier tonight,

Stands for his country ready to fight.

Keeping watch to protect not only the son he left behind,

He keeps watch too for your son and mine.

For each of us, our children hold fast our hearts,

In order for them to grow up in liberty, someone to war must depart.

Remember the sacrifices of those left behind and take care should they weep.

Rock gently the cradle of the Soldier’s baby where he sleeps.