Affirmation

I sent an e mail of support and condolence this afternoon to the Chaplain for a Marine Unit that lost 10 soldiers on 12/02/05. My “baby bruvver” Nate is in this same unit, though last I heard, he is fine and well and going on leave this week to see his lovely wife. When the Chaplain responded to my initial e mail, he said “bless you and your little girls” for our thoughts and prayers. As is my typical response, I told him that we were already blessed, which is why we do this. I also told him that I could appreciate how important, and how difficult, his own job is, and that as a social-worker-in-training, I knew from whence I spoke.

His response brought tears to my eyes.

“Keep forging ahead in your career. The world needs people who reach to the depths of the soul and care for other human beings. What a great vocation. Thanks for connecting with us out here on the fringes of the world.”

Now if that’s not a reason to press on in times of struggle, I just don’t know what is.