Though I don’t know your name
And I have never seen your face
I shed tears for you.
Though my memories
don’t contain a time
We shared together
I miss you.
Though we are not related
You are in my thoughts.
When I’m eating,
or taking a shower,
or doing housework,
I think of you, knowing how much
you wish you could be at home,
Your stomach full,
doing mundane chores,
such as cleaning your house,
Clean from a fresh shower.
Though you are at terrible risk,
and perhaps may not survive,
You are NEVER ALONE,
and will always be alive
If only in our spirits,
hopes and memories,
our dreams for your future.
There are MILLIONS of people
praying for you tonight
And throughout the day.
Praying for your safety and return
as a whole person
In mind, body and spirit.
We are crying because we know.
We know you are scared,
and lonely.
And that you’d give anything
to see your family,
to hug your mother, father.
Your child, sister,
brother, aunt, uncle.
To be showered
with love and comfort,
Instead of sand and shrapnel.
We long for you too,
with an ache so desperate
as to make us insane.
To touch your face,
see your smile;
share your laughter
and your tears.
We love you so much
soldiers,
you cannot know.
You cannot fathom
the swelling of pride in our chest
as we think of you.
Of your courage
and your sacrifice,
the hope that you
can come home soon.
And those that have returned,
we have not forgotten you;
you are in our prayers,
That you may recover
from your experience
and be healed.
No matter
what anyone says,
no matter the reason
you are there,
You are a
UNITED STATES SOLDIER,
and you make us PROUD!!
Every day for that beautiful flag,
for our great fortune
to be Americans.
There are no politics,
no scandals,
no mistakes, NOTHING,
which can diminish
the sentiment
we have for you.
And even as democracy
permits free speech,
as it should,
which some may use
to make judgments
or cast aspersions,
Remember always,
we know
you’d rather be on the couch
debating it with us than spending your days
trying just to stay alive.
Let no “freedom of speech’
EVER make you doubt
the American people’s faith
in and love for you.
We are PROUD!
I’ve never met you,
but I want you to know
that I love you.
I’m praying for you.
I honor you.
I’m waiting for your return.
On this Memorial Day, 2017,
and every day,
Please know
that you are being thought of.
WE MISS YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU
and keep you
until the day
we can celebrate face to face.