Down a Different Path

I took a different path today.  I drove a road I would have preferred to detour around.  My heart is heavy. As a mother, there but for the grace of God go I. 

Today we said goodbye to a United States Marine.  I pulled into the already full parking lot at the funeral home, looking for a spot.  What I saw brought the first of many tears to my eyes.   Simultaneously I saw uniformed service men and women.  And kids.   This Marine was 23.  Younger than my own sons.  

His mother, as I am, is a member of the Houston Marine Moms.   We are a support group that extends in many directions.   Packages to the troops, fund raisers, all questions answered about any subject, and sometimes fun lunches with a shot of Tequila to toast our Marines. I joined them before my son left for boot camp and with their guidance, was able to know exactly what was going on for my son.

 

This mom and I have carpooled together and stopped to chat in the aisles of the grocery store.  She is someone who laughs easily and loudly.  You cannot help but want to be with her.  As hard as it was for me to BE THERE, I HAD to go to show my support. I could not imagine how hard it was for another mother.   

I approached the body, said a prayer, and added my son’s photo to the row of photos and boots lined along the floor near the casket. The boots are arranged at a 45-degree angle, just as they would be if they were worn at attention, a symbolic act of protection and respect.  Holding small flags and the pictures of their owners, they are this Marine’s fellow warriors, there to support and honor him.

The first five rows on the side were reserved for us HMMs. Even there, we supported each other in small ways that meant so very much.  At one point we all stood, holding our bandannas, and recited the 91st Psalm. 

Since 2005 the Houston Marine Moms have adopted the 91st Psalm Bandannas as one of their major programs. We've sent over 5,000 of the Psalm 91 bandannas to Iraq. We work with churches to adopt a Marine or soldier. They pray over the bandannas and we send them to Iraq. We work with Chaplains of whole battalions to pass these out.1

This Marine, a Lance Corporal, served two tours of duty in Iraq. He was awarded several distinguished medals. But he did not die in combat.  He was struck down by a drunk driver in town, not far from his home. 

I cry as I type this.   My own son will soon be home for a visit.  I will hug him and laugh with him.  

There but for the grace of God, go I. 

 

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

1. http://www.houstonmarinemoms.org/bandana.asp

Los Angeles. Sept 2010

Los Angeles.  Sept 2010

My trips there always seem too brief.  Once again my friend’s home was open to me. We had two nights of shows and fun and having our diet Cokes never run dry.  We met an online friend for lunch and had a lovely afternoon.  I wandered the shops in San Pedro in my never-ending search for dark coffee to bring home as my souvenir.

Scarlet Grey at St Rocke

The Grove-Anaheim SKA night

 

This time I got to see a bit of Hollywood, where the kid was living.    VERY interesting exhibition of street fighting with Dog Brothers Gathering Of The Pack 2010.   Watching your child in a school play does NOT prepare for watching him fight with knives and sticks.   When it was his turn, I was so focused on getting some photos of him that I didn’t have time to worry.  Afterwards, we went to have lunch and a few beers at a local pub.  Met one man I had been watching fight.  He was very good.  Like the kid, a computer geek!  I think the best part was seeing these guys in their street clothes:  Skinny, blobby, dorky, nerdy with glasses.  Just the types that others want to pick on.  Knowing that they could/would hold their own in a fight made me smile. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTKqYkvmdkU

Then a bit of driving around.   Interesting houses.  Interesting people living inside them.   Yup.   Drive bys are fun.   ;-)  Maybe next time I’ll stop and take some pix. 

The kid is back in town now, and with no shows planned in L.A. in the near future I don’t know when I’ll return.   But I can dream….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3GbF9Bx6E