Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

On our last night in DC, we went to dinner. While I was getting ready, Bob went down to the hospitality suite for a snack. The man who worked there had now become my BFF. He asked Bob where I was and then sent a tray of food to our room. Bob said that this guy recognized Paupers in a Pay Toilet when he saw them.

On Friday we went to Walter Reed and visited wounded troops. We walked into the Malone House and someone called the place to attention and soldiers did their best to stand. It was overwhelming to see. The first guy we met had been electrocuted and had been in recovery for over a year. The next guy we met had been the only survivor of an IED explosion, where the other five in his vehicle were killed. He had not lost any limbs, but had pins in his leg and lots of skin grafting.

Then we went to Ward 57, the Orthopedic Ward in Walter Reed. We met a soldier from Virginia who lost both legs, an arm, was blind in one eye and also lost his hearing. He said his injuries had helped him reconcile with his ex-wife and she was now pregnant and they were getting remarried. The next soldier we met was from Cleveland and had lost an arm a year ago and was back to get further surgery because his bone continued to grow and made the prosthetic not fit correctly. Then we met a soldier from Detroit, who was a big guy. He had lost both legs. He was the gunner in his vehicle and the driver was killed. He said he was told that his size saved others in the vehicle because his legs took so much of the impact. He joked that he had struggled with making Army weight standards, but believed with the loss of his legs he could make them now.

Chloe the cat went to her new home. The people seemed very nice by all reports, but did not get off to a good start with her. They apparently brought a very small cage for her to travel in and she fought like a dog (?) to not go in. The new owner was scratched and bitten. Bye, Chloe, hope they love you as much as we did.

We are now in Maine waiting for the hurricane to hit. Nice timing. This house we have is 100 years old and everything is crooked as so many parts were additions. So, wherever there was a seam, rain water leaks in. It’s rained for two solid days so we have strategically placed cups and bowls to catch the leaks. We are housebound, unless you want to get soaked. We also have six relatives and two dogs living with us. This is Ultimate Family Bonding.

I am haunted by those soldiers I met. They are so young, and so optimistic. The things that we worry about daily are so insignificant when you think about the challenges they face. So, let the rain pour in--I am not going to complain!