A Veteran's Battlefield

Ray was sitting alone by the fire in the front lobby of his residence; a retirement home where he and his wife had lived for almost a year. Although I worked there, I still truly appreciated Ray's company and cared for the couple a lot. On this particular day, however, I noticed a peculiar aura about him. He wasn't his usual, joyful, talkative self. After noticing his somber expression, I couldn't resist the urge to sit next to him.

Ray was a proud man. He was a devoted husband and father. He spoke highly of his life and his accomplishments...specifically the time he gave serving his country. Ray was an 84 year old respected and decorated veteran of war.

"Hello Ray," I said softly as I sat next to him. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

He continued to sit still, looking off into the distance. He was clearly having a difficult time managing his emotions so I sat there respectfully as he looked onward towards the floor. I'll sit here until he's ready to talk. We sat there in silence and then he tenderly said....

"I've seen arms tear right off people; legs fly off. I've seen the heads of fellow soldier men explode right in front of me."

The gruesome mental images bothered me.

After a slight pause, he continued, "None of these things bother me nearly as much as seeing the heartbreaking condition my wife is in after her stroke."

Those. Words.

Those words impacted me. Ray's wife had a massive stroke which is what initiated Ray's search for a place that could care for her. And he was right there beside her the entire time treating her like he did on their first date.....only 65 years later.

I laid my hand on Ray's knee in an effort to comfort him and communicate that I understood his pain.
This veteran once gave his everything to protect his closest friends....and millions of people he had never even met. Through treacherous swamps and battlefields, he poured every ounce of strength he had to protect a world that he cared so much for. His medals validated that. But as I sat with him by that fire, I realized that he was on a new battlefield protecting the one person that meant the most.

And then I thought....Does a part of me believe that Ray's experience in the bloodiest of wars strengthened him enough to be able to deal with the emotional trauma of watching his wife so badly afflicted by the wrath of stroke?

Dang straight I do.

May we all take a piece of our past and use it today. We salute you, Ray.