Shine His Boots

We have to wait until midnight tonight before we head to bed, one of his squadron brothers and his family are staying where we are so we will wait for them to arrive with beer and quiet thoughts.

Early tomorrow we will all get up and Dh and his mate will dress and prepare and we will stand with them while they remember.
Very little is ever as heartbreaking.

So tonight I watch him shine his boots.

I know tomorrow some of you will sleep in.

Or get groceries.

Or watch Netflix.

And I’m not even mad, because freedom is freedom and no one can make you Remember.

I know some of you will go to a service but just wait impatiently for it to end and then get about your day. I was you once.

Some might even object to the entire idea. As is your fought for right.

Tonight, however, I’ll watch him shine boots.

And tomorrow, some of you might thank him for his service.

Or buy someone like him a drink, or a coffee, or dinner, though that’s not what it’s about I know that feeling of just wanting to do *something.*

Or even more importantly, maybe you’ll just try your best to remember and honour. That’s the best I can do, too.

Honestly, your presence and your compassion and the way you teach your kids what freedom costs?

That’s beautiful.

So tonight, I’ll watch him shine boots that are already shiny.

Thinking of those phone calls that told me he was okay, but someone else was coming home.
And the relief and grief that brings.

Because I know some of you out there, you’ll miss the one you love tomorrow.

You are who I think of, while his heart hurts and mine breaks and he shines the medals and the commendations he wishes he could give up if it meant his friends came home.

His head is a million miles away. In a desert. With the ones he misses.

Like many are. And always have been. From the first war until now, there are the ones at home who have had a purpose given to us.

Our family will stand tomorrow and we will remember.

Maybe you will too.

But even if you don’t.

Tonight, I watch him shine his boots.