The Man comes around

The Marine Corps unit I was assigned to on my second  deployment to Afghanistan suffered 186 wounded (including 38 single, double and triple amputations), as well as a number killed, immediately or later as a result of the injuries they sustained, in nine months.  I had talked to every one of them, studied their personnel files.  Then I spent time with them after they were wounded, or communicated with their families if they were killed--I still follow-up to this day.  I don't forget them.
 I was a passenger in an M-ATV that was struck by an EFP IED — that's an explosively-formed penetrator type of so-called improvised explosive device.  It severely damaged our vehicle. I saw out of the corner of my eye a flower blooming bright red inside a blue shimmering sphere and thought, "What?" and that was it, the switch was turned off.  When the switch was turned back on I was outside the vehicle.  The driver was killed. The person who had been sitting next to me had had his ballistic vest shattered and parts of it forced inside his lung (which they tried to save but it got infected and had to be removed).  There were other casualties.  I don't really have any clear memories beyond that.
We should appreciate being alive, with all our arms and legs, our faces not burned off, able to walk and see.  Each day is a gift from God and we should thank Him for allowing us to grow old and have memories along with our worries, cares and aches and pains.  

 

 

“What are the children of men, but as leaves that drop at the wind's breath?”
  “But now, as it is, sorrows, unending sorrows, must surge within your heart — My spirit rebels — I’ve lost the will to live, to take my stand in the world of men —”
     ~ Homer, The Iliad