war was a game we played when we were kids...

I haven't had much time for blogging in the past few weeks.  I should be working on other work, as I type this blog, but my mind is filled with other thoughts.

As I opened my eyes last Monday morning, I thought for sure that it would be another "normal" Monday.  I was mistaken.  When I went into the living room, my mother told me the tragic news.  She said, "About 11:00 last night the police department called and said that Emanuel was killed."  I replied, "In Iraq?" She said, "Yes April, he was killed in Iraq."  You see, Emanuel was a on his second tour of duty in Iraq.  He was a Staff Sergeant with the National Guard and was a military policeman.  He was from my home town.  I didn't know him well, but my father knew him.  Emanuel was a police officer for the town of Wallace.  He worked part time for Billy's Pork and Beef which is only a block from my home.  He was a good guy who not only served his country, but his community.  He knew the risk involved with being a solider.  Still, that does not eliminate the tragedy of his death.  His death has made this war a very personal thing for me and for so many others.  On the nightly news, the anchor will usually say how many American soldiers were killed that day in Iraq.  When I listened to the news last Monday night, I could put a face and name with one of those numbers.

I wish the fighting could stop.  Too many young men and women have lost their lives fighting.  I don't think you can make peace with guns or bombs.  When I was younger, I would play these war games with my cousins.  I wish that the only war we played was a game, but it is not.  It's unfortunate that we as people can't get along.  I wish there were some other way to negotiate.  I learned early in my life that conflicts cannot be resolved by blowing things up.  

This is not a blog to debate the war in Iraq.  We are fighting the war, and I can't change that.  I just wish there were some other way to deal with the conflict.  Men like Emanuel, should be able to come back home alive and not in a casket.  

Life is short.  It's too short to argue about things we can't change.  It's too short to hold grudges.  Life is too short to be nit picky over silly things.  It's a new day...rejoice in that.  I know if Emanuel were alive he would say it.  Each day is a gift--what are you going to do with it...