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Welcome Home, Paul
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Welcome Home, Paul |
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MJ Member
since 2008-02-21
Posts 60 |
His name is Paul, and he's close to retirement age. He is a professor, a musician, and one of those customers I tend to approach cautiously - he can be rather moody at times. Although I've never actually seen it, I would swear he has one of those jackets with leather patches on the elbows. Paul is a brilliant, mercurial man; that's quite obvious to me. I often feel uncomfortably small around him, and wonder if his students feel the same. That day, he picked up a card from the counter I'd inadvertently left lying there and said, "What's this all about?" "It's an organization of bikers I belong to that keeps protesters away from military funerals, and welcomes soldiers when they come home from Iraq," I replied. His brow furrowed and I felt slightly defensive. Not normally one to discuss personal opinions on controversial topics, I blurted mine out anyway. "You probably remember how Vietnam Veterans were treated when they came home. I hated that, and I was just a kid. I remember my father making me watch the news because he thought it was so wrong. They served their country, and they deserved far better than they got. Never again - that should never happen again, and it won't as long as I'm around." When he looked at me, all I could think was "Uh-oh. I should have kept my mouth shut." Normally I read people pretty well, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I could only see that he felt strongly about something I'd said. And then his face changed, as though it were opening up somehow. Quietly, he said, "I served in Vietnam, but I don't talk about it much." Surprised and touched, I put my hand on his arm lightly and said, "I never knew that, Paul. Thank you for what you did...and welcome home." He looked at me in shock; his face contorted for just a moment. He began to speak, and then I saw the beginning of tears. I'm used to being around Vietnam Veterans and I'm used to saying "Welcome home," but I realized at that moment he probably hadn't heard that before. "I -- I don't talk about it much. Excuse me, I have to leave." He exited quickly. I felt awful. I wasn't sure what to do, but I kept an eye on him. He put his bag in the car, stared at the trees for a bit, and then turned to look at me through the window. I walked outside and said, "I'm sorry if I brought up a difficult topic. I have several friends who served so I feel strongly about it." "No, no, I just wasn't expecting that. Like I said, I don't talk about it often - hardly ever. Most people have no idea I was in the military." He paused and stared at the horizon. Several emotions flickered across his face in rapid succession, and I wondered who and where he visited during those moments. Then his face calmed, like ripples smoothing in a pond. He turned to me, briefly clutched my forearm and said, "I'm glad you do what you do, and thank you for welcoming me home. Like I said, I don't talk about it much." He got in his car, nodded, smiled and shut the door. As I watched him drive away, I felt an awkward smile on my face - the kind that appears when I feel comfortably small. -- [This message has been edited by MJ (02-29-2008 10:52 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2008 MJ - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
MJ~ A compelling, tender read~ Thank you~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
MJ, do you mind if I share this? Some of the Viet Nam Veterans still don't believe that people have come around, and that people truly want to thank them for what they've done, in their giving of themselves for us. Thank you. |
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TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
very good. very good one. touching. |
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amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
Wonderful, wonderful write. I too am an advocate for recogizing our Vietnam Vets, although I haven't done much for years. I used to help fund raise for MIA's that were still believed to be overseas...back in the eighties. Thank you so much for sharing this...you have an incredible heart! |
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MJ Member
since 2008-02-21
Posts 60 |
Thank you Marge, Sunshine, TomMark and amusemi for your kind comments. Sunshine, feel free to share this with any Veteran you know, with my love and appreciation. I do wonder, though, if the last sentence contains some redundancy. I am tempted to change it to this: "As I watched him drive away, I felt an awkward smile on my face - the kind that appears when I feel comfortably small." |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Wonderful...a joy to read...James |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Either line works for me, MJ...if you've gone past the time to edit and wish to do so, please let me know and I will be glad to assist. Send me an email so I know you wish to have the change made.  |
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MJ Member
since 2008-02-21
Posts 60 |
I changed it. What is the window of time that will allow edits? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Usually 24 hours, MJ. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
MJ I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. This is moving and so real. Thank you for writing and sharing. I, too, would like to share it with someone very special to me. I am a fan of your writing. Alison |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Thank you MJ, This deserves more readers. With appreciation for what you do, "late" |
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matronmedusa Member
since 2008-03-08
Posts 89Alabama, USA |
It is these small connections; whether we intend them or not....that makes the world go 'round. Thank you for putting your spin on it! |
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