StColette Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 I was speaking with someone tonight on this topic and they suggested that I post about it so I am. It’s a very personal topic for me. My brother is a 1st Lt. in the US Army and was stationed over in Iraq for a year. Praise be to God he returned home unhurt in March. He missed so much while he was gone. He missed his youngest sister, me, graduate High School, he missed Christmas and Thanksgiving with his family. Many others I'm sure have had to go through the same thing as my family and I have. Waiting each day that he is gone and watching the news for any report of a soldier being killed over there. He had a few close calls, some more close than anyone would want to imagine. My prayers during the period he was gone grew stronger and stronger. There was a period while he was gone when we didn't hear from him for a full week. There had been an accident where he was stationed in Iraq and I immediately sent an email to check on him. Days went by and no answer came to the email. I began a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, asking Our Lady to please help bring word that my brother was okay. On the last day of the novena I received an email from my brother, he was okay . I've never shared that story with anyone not even my father. From the time that he left I had began carrying my rosary everywhere with me, it never left my side. I still to this day carry my rosary everywhere because of what comfort it brought me during that year. And believe me a year can feel like an eternity. After my brother returned home he came by the house to see my dad and I. It was hard to fight back tears but I managed some how. He began to tell us about his experience over there and about his close calls. He had said that there were so many chances of him being seriously hurt but he came home without a single scratch. My dad and I just smiled at one another because we knew that he was kept well protected by someone I know in my heart that Our Lady took special care of him. I thought my faith was strong before my brother went away to Iraq but after his going and his return I can truly say that it has grown twenty times as strong. Because while he was gone I had to completely rely on God for the strength to get through him not being here and for the comfort that I needed knowing that my brother was in danger everyday and to wipe away the tears that I shed out of fear of losing my brother. But God did erase my fears as time went on. After time I knew that God would take great care of my brother one way or another. This short version of my story I've just told only touches the surface of what it was like to have a loved one away in war. So many people share the same story as I do but since we're Pham I decided I would share it with all of you. So please remember to keep the troops in your prayers God Bless, Jennie Catherine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 and yet ya know what i think.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 BUMP bump bump bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov31girl Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 I know how ya feel Colette. My brother has been in Iraq since January and chances are he'll be there for quite a while longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 prayin for you and everyone with family overseas and of course all of our military men and women.... including my own family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted August 4, 2004 Author Share Posted August 4, 2004 [quote name='prov31girl' date='Aug 4 2004, 02:21 AM'] I know how ya feel Colette. My brother has been in Iraq since January and chances are he'll be there for quite a while longer. [/quote] awww you, your bro, and family are in my prayers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov31girl Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 (edited) Thanks hughey and Colette!! Edited August 4, 2004 by prov31girl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theculturewarrior Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 My brother wanted to go, but thank God he wasn't sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theculturewarrior Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 By the way, my sympathies to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted August 4, 2004 Author Share Posted August 4, 2004 Thanks Tcw, I pray that your brother never has to go over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 me too..... and bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorphRC Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 :group: Lets hope all can come back soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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