A Mother's Heart in War . . . Day 161, November 14, 2004

The Friday entries of "The Powder Room" are currently from a journal which I started when we found out our son was going to be deployed with the United States Marine Corps to Iraq. The journal was not written with the intention that it would ever be read by anyone else, much less published in any way. There are feelings in the journal that are deep and true and I wasn't sure at first I wanted to share them. But there are many sons and daughters still serving in our armed forces and I think it might be good to share "a mother's heart" with you what those other mothers may be facing. The entries are shared as a tribute to my son and his service to our country, and to all those sons and daughters who continue to willingly place themselves in harm's way for the protection and preservation of liberty.

Day 161, November 14, 2004

The holidays are here.

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and the grocery list is already posted on the refrigerator door. Packages of Christmas candy are on their way to Iraq and more sit waiting to be packaged.

I think I have realized that is is important -- for all of us -- that Christmas be as "Christmasy" as possible. I can't replace Noah for the rest of my family. Who could possibly replace Noah's wit and humor or the sly smile with a twinkle in the eye? But I can make sure that the things within my control are as "normal" as possible.

The tree will still go up, with more yellow ribbons than ever before. The nutcrackers, of course, will grace the mantle with the Marine nutcracker leading the parade. For Emmie, the lights will go up outside this year. The presents for Noah will wait and when he comes home he can open them all and eat turkey to his heart's content.

I think I have realized that the holidays aren't merely a celebration . If that were so then Noah's being so far away could easily ruin them. No, the holidays are a declaration. A declaration that what the Lord as done in and through and to and for us is so great that it is worthy of the commemoration regardless of the circumstances.

God has proven Himself so very faithful even in this and we will seek this time of the year as a time to declare and affirm the Kingship of the babe in the manger, the faithfulness of the God of our forefathers and the blessings of the Lord who allows us to turn one more day of the calendar.

We will praise Him because He alone is worthy.