As an old war veteran laid down to sleep the night after a buddies funeral, images of his life flashed before his eyes. Not many of them were pretty, consisting of war battles and hospitals. He could tell you from experience that war was indeed hell. He had spent most of his life jumping from fox hole to fox hole, crawling in the mud and muck trying not to get killed. Fear was a constant companion in his life, he couldn’t remember a day passing without it. Now that he thought about it, it didn’t really sound like a life anyone would willingly choose. But he knew that wasn’t the case. Thousands of people just like him gave up their life for their country. Giving up their children's first steps, sometimes missing their birth completely. He knew that it was going to be hell when he joined, but did it anyway. Sometimes he wondered if joining the Army was really worth all of the pain an sorrow it brought. A tear silently rolled down his cheek as he remembered his friends that fell during battle.
“Daddy?” His oldest daughter spoke softly, “are you alright?”
“I’m fine darling. Just thinking about life.” he placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Would you do anything differently?” she paused waiting for an answer, but nothing came. “I mean, would you ever change your life at all.”
“No.” He answered simply. “Well, I would change one thing.” he said after a few moments.
“What’s that?”
“I would’ve loved to see you, Jack, and your mother more.” a smile flashed across his face.
“Thats the only thing you would do differently? Even after all of the hell you’ve been through?” she asked, full of confusion.
“Darling, let me tell you something. I hope to God that neither you or Jack will ever have to face the same things I did while I was in the army. And yes, a lot of what I went through was terrible, but I wouldn’t trade the life I have lived for any other in the would. You wanna know why?” She nodded silently, “Because with out people like me fighting, you wouldn’t have been able to have the happy free childhood you had or the life you have now. The pride I feel and the friendships I have made will always outside the negative. Now come here and give me a hug.”
She walked to him slowly and embraced him “I love you Daddy” she whispered in his ear.
“I love you too darlin’.”
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