of how real this War is. not that we don't know that,, just one of things when you see something and need to "Talk"

I got all happy after reading that post about a small world and did a search on my town (hey at least one person metioned it lol)  anyway, right there on the front of where to send, above search contacts, the face of a  handome young man with a smile only to read he is yet another casualty at such a young age.

I went to a store last weekend (related to my church) and when I was buying some small guardian angel pins and St. Michael (saint of warriors ) and St Christopher (saint of travelers), I told the lady what I was doing. .not to push my religion, but to give hopefully some of them a bit more faith power to get them though. The group I sent it to was a combat group who said that it is really hard on their females (yes they got other stuff,, nice stuff  lol) and anyway I put a note about why I was sending it. I also asked if they could give it to a chaplain if they did not want to keep it. Anyway, the whole point is. [after all of my rambling!!] the lady immediately "took to the cause" to help me and she told me of 2 funerals she had gone to in less than a month (and we are not a military city, but military state)... and when I see this picture on the home page, well it saddens me so much. Yes, I have read each bio of the person on here who has made the ultimate sacrifice... and I pray for their family and their soul.. and well, it gives me that more of an edge to keep doing this and have faith that somehow the "guardian angels" are indeed getting the packages to the right person, even if that is not my recipient ( I hope that makes sense).

Sorry to have been a downer,, just needed to get these thoughts out.. we all have read on here how people complain or sometimes we ourselves might complain.. well I started thinking, not only has my happiness in life gone up since I started this, but I don't complain as much.. why? Because whatever I experience is NOTHING compared to what these men and women are experiencing as well as the famlies who lose them.

Thank you for letting me get that out...

Hi vt,

Yes I seen that this morning also and it always gets me so upset. We just lost two from Ohio this past few days. They were showing it on the news the other night when I was at work. I, too, have started minimizing the complaints I have as I have it easy compared to what they go through. Thanks for the post.

Diana

It is interesting how this chain works.  We read about these soldiers, and we realize we have almost nothing in our lives to complain about and so much to be grateful for.

Soldiers at the larger facilties often say that they really can't complain, because there are other units that are living in much worse conditions than theirs.  And all the soldiers often say that they really can't complain, because the Iraqis or Afghanis have it so much worse.

If I could say only two words about my involvement with "anysoldier", those two would be LIFE CHANGING.  There is very little that I look at in the same way anymore.  And there is not a time when I open the "where to send" page, that I don't hold my breath until I see there haven't been any new black ribbons added.

As we've talked about what a small world it is, and how we all feel some divine intervention as to the directions we go, and the choices we make concerning this site, I have to share this.  My brother has had his house up for sale for 3-4 months now, with few lookers, and no offers.  He called me a couple of weeks ago, and told me he had sold it.  When I asked who bought it, he didn't know her first name, but said her last name was "Little" and that husband had been killed in Iraq.   I've got to tell you, I think my heart stopped, because I had just read the notice of OUR soldier, SPC Kyle A. Little.  I told my brother that his wife's name was Tiffany, and that she was pregnant with their first child.  At the time we were discussing this, they had not even held the funeral.  Apparently, Tiffany has family here, and her dad took care of the business with the house.

Kyle was not one of my individual contacts, but I feel like any soldier registered here is one of "my" soldiers.  And now, it seems, through divine intervention, his young widow has been placed directly into my path.  I mean Kyle wasn't from here, and of the close to 3500 that have been lost, there were only 40 from our website at the time.  And then for her to wind up in my brother's house, out of all the houses in the area that are for sale--there is more at work here than we will EVER know.  I don't know what it means, or how I'm going to handle it.  I do know, when she gets settled, I am going to meet her.  I will leave it up to her to decide where we go from there.  I'll let you know how it goes.  We may be having the first "anysoldier online baby shower"...

Hi vt,

Isn’t it wonderful to have this forum now?  Just to be able to “Talk” and not have to carry it with you the rest of the day…  

btw, you posted in the right place.  Marty told everyone to post anything here because it can always be moved later…can’t go wrong with that.

Talk anytime. Always good to hear from you.

to Phillis re: Divine Intervention
I am convinced that there is nothing coincidental about the serendipitous timing of the addition of these Forums -- right on time.

OMG Phillis!!

What a nice story. You are so right when you say these things. This whole anysoldier experience has changed my life. I look at things so differently now. You have to trust me when I say she was put in your path for a reason. My soldier that I just recently met also was put in my path for a reason, out of over 150 letters she chose MINE. The friendship and the bond that developed over all those months, is so strong and nothing comes between us. ( there isnt enough room!)  Doesn't it make you feel special and lucky to have things like this happen? It does me. I am so excited for you and if you need anything for the "baby shower" you make sure to let me know. Right now I must find the kleenex box ONCE AGAIN and take care of these "showers" I'm having here. I am really excited for you and happy for you.

Diana

Dear Phillis,

What a wonderful idea - an AnySoldier baby shower.  I'm all for it.  Just let us know in plenty of time to send gifts.  Make sure she registers at some places online.  Of let us know what stores are around there so we can send gift cards if need be.  This is so exciting.  God definitely put her there for you - and the rest of us.  Oh dear, my "allergies" are giving me trouble. Sniff, sniff,

Mary 

Phyllis

 I had to admit, that gave me goosebumps. .I am  firm believer that we have "guides" (not in a weird way:) ) that lead us to where we need to be. For whatever reason that you may never know, you have been given the opportunity to have this young lady in your life.. like you said, don't question how/what you are going to say or when etc.. just know it has been given to you and take it.. it does not have to be pefect, and remember there is never the perfect timing in these cases, but she may need someone like you and you just don't know it.. but you have to try.. never go through wondering "what if" but it does not sound like you will...

 I thank all of you too .. we have formed our own little bonds.. but it is nice to know we all tend to think alike..and more importantly, we share a common goal.. and that, to me, is just "divine"  itself

Lynn

Y'all just pray for me!  I'm afraid when she opens the door, I'm going to have an "allergy" attack and she'll think I'm some sort of freak.  Of course, she already knows I come from a weepy family.  When my brother met her, he told her how sorry he was, and how much he appreciated what her husband had done, and that was all he could get out without having to walk away.  And he's not even a "junkie"--he just hears all of mine and mom's stuff!  He said she seemed to be holding up really well, considering all that she had been through.  The funeral was the 18th of May, and so you know Memorial Day was especially hard.  They got married in February--Kyle went back in March. 

They just closed on the house yesterday, and my brother is moving his last load of stuff out this afternoon.  I'm going to give her at least a couple of weeks to settle in. 

and Betc, you are SO right, the timing of this forum was just amazing--I don't know how I would have approached this without having everyone here to share with.  There is definately strength in numbers!  Have I told you all lately how much I appreciate YOU????

Phyllis,

Let me know about this baby shower for her.

Sister Barbara

Phillis,

This is your second post that has made me cry! You've got some strong spirits floating around you girl! Count me in for the baby shower.

vetwife

Phillis

Since you know the address and zip code (wink, wink) maybe you'd rather send her a letter and include your email and telephone number.  If I were pregnant, alone, and in a new place, I'd worry about the "strange lady" at my door!

I am so addicted to this site. I can't believe it!!!

I found anysoldier.com three months before my son left for Iraq. This has been such an outlet for me and has given me more comfort than I could have ever imagined.

Everything happens for a reason...and talk about perfect timing.

Count me in on the baby shower!!