Deeper than you think

You never really know what your child is thinking. This is particularly true with Ryan. He internalizes a lot of his emotions. One topic that is rarely discussed is his father being deployed. The first time his father was deployed Ryan was 8 years old, too young really comprehend what being deployed really meant. Now that he's 11 years old it is apparent that he comprehends what it's all about.

A few months ago, Ryan had a writing assignment, a "What if" Poem. I got to read it while at Meet the Teacher night. Ryan was so proud of his poem because it was one that the teacher thought was good enough to hang up in class. After reading it I had tears in my eyes, his teacher handed me a tissue and said that was the same reaction she had.

GONE
By: Ryan Soza

What if he doesn’t come back?
What if he gets hurt in an attack?
What if he has a crash?
What if he hits something and has whiplash?
What if he got shot?
What if he dies as he fought?
What if he gets shot down to the ground?
What if he never gets found?
What if he loses his sight?
What if he goes in the white light?
What if he loses his hand?
What if he’s stuck in quick sand?
What if he suffers in a drought?
What if he gets hit in the head?
What if he never gets fed?
What if he gets shot with a dart?
What if he can’t work his heart?
What if he is stranded alone?
What if he never comes home?

This is one of the times when I wish I could shield my son from all the hurt and destruction in the world. Do you think putting him in a bubble would help?