Thoughts of my sons being in danger haunted me day and night. As president of our local military support group, I still had many responsibilities to carry on meetings to conduct, support to give others, and service projects to complete.
During this time, I delivered two condolence books to mothers of fallen soldiers. After praying and crying with them, I would drive away from their home begging God, “Please don’t let me be next.” I felt the shadow of death as a constant dark weight over my spirit and body.
Finally, the day came for me to attend Josey’s homecoming in Twenty-nine Palms, California, along with Kelly, his girlfriend at the time (now his wife). While we waited for his returning bus, the wounded from Josey’s company walked among us. Some had limbs missing, were in wheelchairs, one was on crutches. The faces of handsome young men were scarred from burns. As they walked through the crowd, spontaneous applause broke out.
Nearby on a table was a beautiful patriotic quilt. We all signed it for a family who’s Marine would not be returning home, yet that family was there to support the rest of us. The look on their faces was haunting. How unfair it all seemed. While this family heroically supported the fellow Marines of their fallen son, I thought my heart would burst in anticipation of my own son’s arrival.
The moment we were reunited paralleled only with the moment of his birth. I wanted to collapse from relief. I couldn’t quit crying. We embraced and I sobbed, “Josey, I was so afraid I would never see you alive again.”
“I’m home, Mom,” he said. It seemed such a miracle to me.
And that was my turning point. My health began to improve. A few months later I would experience the victory of my other son’s homecoming.
Lord, I praise you for being a trustworthy God, no matter what dangers and trials surround me and those I love.
“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’ …You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” (Psalm 91:2, 5–6)