Remembering...

I took Abby for breakfast this morning during the musical practice. As we were eating there was a man with a black baseball cap that said "WWII Veteran".

As we ate, I kept glancing at this elderly man who was sitting there. Alone.

Now I'm really conscious about staring at people and I don't like getting caught... So I tried to make quick glances.

Abby takes a LONG time to eat so it didn't surprise me when he was ready to go before we were. He walked past us and as he was about to leave I got a chance to say "Thank you for your service." and ask, "What branch did you serve in?"

"The Army." He said quickly and finished throwing away the containers on his tray.

I really didn't expect him to say much more... but I'm very thankful for the men and women who've sacrificed so much so that I (and much of the world) can enjoy the freedom I have today.

As I was turning back around to engage my three year old, he came over and stood next to me and shared a little of his story...

"It was December 15. Me and the other men were really excited about potentially going home for Christmas. But unfortunately, the Germans had other plans."

He looked at me for just a second, "Did you read about the Battle of the Bulge in school?"

I said, "Yes." and he looked off again as if to remember something a little too painful.

"I don't know if I can make it through this." He began to choke up, but continued.

"The Germans planned a big offensive that really caught the Allies off guard. Within three days, many men lost their lives and we sadly realized that we weren't coming home for Christmas this year."

"Many men were wounded and could not get medical help, so they froze to death. I lost part of my foot to frost bite. A LOT of men died."

He paused for a moment... "I hate December."

I grabbed his shoulder for a second as he began to shuffle away and once again said "Thank you... Thanks for sharing a moment of your life with me."

WOW!

All I could do is sit there and try to keep the tears from coming. What he'd seen, experienced and lived through... the sacrifice. It was a heavy moment.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle this Christmas...Remember.

Writing this made me think of some lyrics by Chris Rice.

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking.
How we need to hear from God.
You've been promised, we've been waiting,
Welcome, holy Child,
Welcome, holy Child.

Hope that You don't mind our manger,
How I wish we would have known.
But long awaited holy Stranger,
Make Yourself at home,
Please make Yourself at home.

Bring Your peace into our violence,
Bid our hungry souls be filled.
Word now breaking heaven's silence,
Welcome to our world,
Welcome to our world.

Fragile finger sent to heal us,
Tender brow prepared for thorn,
Tiny heart whose blood will save us,
Unto us is born,
Unto us is born.

So wrap our injured flesh around You,
Breathe our air and walk our sod.
Rob our sin and make us holy,
Perfect Son of God,
Perfect Son of God... Welcome to our world.

It's been a while since I've seen such pain... and carried for so long. The "holidays" may bring with it a ton of emotions including pain, hate, fear and agony. However, through that pain God gave us His healing, His love, His peace, His Life.

I'm looking forward to running into this man again... and listening some more.

Thanks for taking the time to read what I've shared.