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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Take a Look

Take a minute and just take this photo in....


I got this photo in an email. Now, I get a lot of photos of soldiers and this one made me tear up.

1. Look at the expression on the woman's face. Pure relief and pain.
2. Look at the age of her child. Can't be much more than two years old.
3. The average deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan is a year long.
4. Do the math; this little girls mom has probably been away for half her life.





39 comments:

Perfectly Happy Mum said...

oh my god, it really brought tears to my eyes... how hard this must be...

Jessica {lovely jubbly london} said...

you are making me cry...I can't even imagine.

Insomniac Mummy said...

Wow, that made me tear up.

Can't begin to imagine.

Chairman Bill said...

What makes them leave their kids like that?

Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin) said...

I need that. . . thanks!

Laura - Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? said...

Jeez, that's brought a tear to my eye. It's stomach churning to think of leaving my children for that long

Sandy said...

I think we all get photos like that in emails....but do we really LOOK at them? Thanks for the reminder Kat, we owe a great deal to the men and women, mothers and fathers, serving their country.

Unknown said...

Please, I do NOT want to be in tears this early in the morning!

In which Savannah bar do you have your name on its wall?

Anonymous said...

I got goosebumps looking at that picture. I can not imagine what it must be like to have to leave your kids.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Damn.
I need coffee now.
*sniff*

The Peach Tart said...

Thanks for reminding me of the sacrifices these men and women make for their children.

I'm speechless I'm so teary.

Cape Cod Gal said...

For once, I have no words.

Cammie said...

*tear*

Badass Geek said...

Heartbreaking, but honorable nonetheless.

Pollyanna said...

I can't imagine.

God Bless her for making such a sacrifice for all of us.

Unknown said...

Heart wrenching....

Jess said...

Very powerful picture! I have so much respect for our soldiers...there is no greater sacrifice!

Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt said...

I just can't even imagine.

Anonymous said...

oh god that made me cry :(

Anonymous said...

I instantly teared up at that...
Words can't express how grateful I am for people who serve in the military.

Kelly said...

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Sometimes we need to be reminded that men and women are leaving their babies everyday to make this world a better place.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Oh, this breaks my heart.
Time that can never be retrieved...

PippaD said...

My cousins and 2nd cousins are mostly in the forces and it is photos like this that makes me even more proud of them.

a.l.b. said...

this photo breaks my heart and makes me proud all at the same time. I couldn't imagine leaving Little A, but know Hubs does it ever couple of months.

for a different kind of girl said...

I can't even imagine. This is another reason to be grateful to those who choose to defend our country, isn't it? I hope this photo was snapped during a tearful reunion that lasts.

Jenni said...

oh, god, that is heart breaking.

The Good Cook said...

And now I have to go and dry my eyes and wipe my nose.

My son re-enlisted the day after 9/11 - and is still serving. There is no one on this planet that I respect more than our men and women in uniform.

God Bless and keep posting about them!

The Good Cook said...

ps: To Chairman Bill:

"What makes them leave their kids like that?"...

It's called DUTY.

Ms. Salti said...

That is too sweet. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope this war is over soon!

Ian Newbold said...

Richard Curtis (Love Actually) tried to focus on the positivity at airport arrivals, you'll find some very powerful images there.

Anonymous said...

*Gulp*

Captain Dumbass said...

That's such a powerful picture.

Joanie said...

OK, you got me too. God bless her and all the soldiers.

Jenny Grace said...

That picture is beautiful.

Jen said...

I got goose bumps. I can't even imagine. What a woman!

Keely said...

omg. All I can think is - she must be so relieved her daughter chose to accept her hug and didn't scream in terror! I could never do that. Deep respect for her.

♥ Braja said...

Ok, sorry, but hey: CHOICE. She wanted to go, so she considered leaving more important than child. Come on....

Glad you spoke to Amy :)

Aunt Juicebox said...

=(

OhCaptain said...

Very moving. Thank you.