Another Day of Worry-Original Post 04 February 2007

Today is Saturday. Our sons 26th birthday was yesterday. It was bittersweet. I talked with him on IM Friday a.m. (Friday night his time). We didn't get to talk to long. He had had a long day and was waiting for a room inspection. He had to leave for a time while they conducted the inspection then he was back talking with me. He hadn't had time to check his mail-so he didn't have the DOZENS of cookies my mom and I made for him. I asked him if anyone had said "Happy Birthday". He said no. I asked why, didn't they celebrate birthdays? He said they do if you tell them. He didn't want to tell them because of the pranks they pull on the birthday boy or girl. I did send an email to friends and family asking if they would send him an e card or at least send him an email saying "Happy Birthday". He did say he had received lots of birthday wishes through email.
My son then said, Mom, I have to go, I have to go now. But I will be back on later...I WILL BE BACK ON! I said ok. I closed with my "Head Down, Eyes Open, I Love YOU....Happy Birthday and I haven't heard from him since. This worries me somewhat...we were going to call him for his birthday...I was waiting so his dad could talk to him...but we didn't hear anything...Makes a momma worry...
My hope is that they are on a com blackout. The Apache that crashed on Friday, may have caused a blackout of internet and phone calls till the families were notified. I pray that their base wasn't attacked again. This is a daily occurance. And they don't have just 1 rocket shot at them-them come in numbers, sometimes big numbers. So, they may only have one incident-but that incident could have been 4, 5, 6, 12 rockets.
One of my best friends son is a Black Hawk pilot. He just got to Iraq the first of November. We are so worried about him also and each time a chopper goes down...we worry that it might be him. My friend said this is so hard....I said I know...Just keep the faith. I again told her that every night when I go to bed, I thank God for having not sent the Casualty Affairs Officer to my door, and I pray that it won't happen tomorrow. I pray that it won't happen for any parent or spouse who is in this horrible, horrible life crisis. Each time I hear that another brave young soul has been lost, I feel guilty...I am rejoicing that it is not my son, but then I realize it is some other mother's son or daughter...
Enough of that...Tomorrow we are going to Sedalia, Missouri which is about 90 miles from our home. There is a benefit concert for a soldier injured in Iraq. He was hit by an IED and is paralyzed from the waist down. He has a young daughter, only 5 months old. So tragic...The 21st Masonic District in Missouri has put this together. Some of the great entertainers from Branson, Missouri are going to play and there will be a video clip of Gary "Lt. Dan" Sinise for this young man. We are going to show support for this soldier and his family-and to help them raise a little money...If you are interested in donating the website is: http://www.sgtbryanprice.org/index.htm I am looking forward to hearing some good performers!
That is about it for today. I plan on making phone calls on Monday regarding our Bomb Reflective Canopies. This needs to be done ASAP. Our soldiers need to be safe in their beds...
Thank you. Have a wonderful evening...
Head down...Eyes Open...I love you.