Broken Hearts

Today, on the way to Nashville, I witnessed a scene that broke my heart and brought instant tears to my eyes, as well as placed a rock in my gut. To try and describe what I saw and the emotional and physical reaction I had is practically impossible; but I will share the story:

As my love and I were headed down I-24 to Nashville for an afternoon of good company with a few needed errands we came up on what appeared to be a funeral escort. However, as we got closer we were confused and were discussing what it appeared we were coming up on. There was only one patrol car from Montgomery County escorting a single hurst. We were wondering if it was suppose to be a funeral procession or why there was a private escort. As we approached the escort I noticed a flag on the front of what looked like a hurst (we still weren't sure yet if that is what we were actually coming up on) - you know the flags you see on the limousine for diplomats or politicians?! Well that began to rise a couple more questions - then I noticed and pointed out what appeared to be a seal on the door, of what we now had identified as a hurst. The seal:

United States Army.

The solo escort was for the body solider of a recently killed United States Army Soldier who was probably on his/her way to somewhere in the United States, their hometown to be returned to the family after giving the greatest sacrifice any one person could give for his or her country; their life.

I can begin to tell or explain the pain, the emotion, the thoughts and worries i endured daily from the previous deployment we had just survived that came rushing to the forefront of my mind and engulfed my body. My heart ached - literally. I wanted to cry and scream in agony for the family and loved ones who were awaiting the arrival of their loved one, and I was instantly reminded to be grateful my loved on was returned to me safe and sound.

I had to think what I would have ever done had it been myself who had to endure such news and the suffering which would accompany it. As the significant other of a solider all I hear is "I don't know how you do it." The truth is, sometimes neither do I, all I know is that it's love. But what do you do when the love is ripped from your life? Even thinking about it now makes my stomach churn and my heart ache.

What I witnessed yesterday was not only humbling and made me want so bad to just pay my respects to the family with the most sincere gratitude, but will be an image forever ingrained in my memory.

Those who give the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom and your freedom must never be forgotten; I know that I myself will forever by eternally grateful.....