Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

[GratefulEm]

I had a call from my son last night who is with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. He said he's deploying to Iraq in 2 weeks. I was so upset - cried in my husband's arms for half an hour. Thought immediately about drinking this morning but so far have been able to hold off. That's why I really, really wanted to be able to get back on here. If anything happens to him, I'll become another Cindy Sheehan. I think I need to double up on the Calms Forte. Just wondered if others out there have similar anxieties??? Em

[Saint Jude]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Hey Grateful Em, I have a nephew in Afganistan. My brother's son. Hopefully he'll be home in August. We've all been real worried about him, pretty scarey. Keeping you & your's in my prayers...:l , Judie

[YoungAtHeart]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Oh Em, I don't! I can't even imagine it! But I get scared when my daughter is driving her car out late at night--I can only just BEGIN to perceive the anxiety you must feel. Please know, though, that we will ALL try to understand and surround you and your family with our concern and prayers! Hugs, Kathy

[lj 57.]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Hi em,

my cousin(also best friend) has just finished a 6 month tour of iraq, the night before he went away i am not ashamed to admit that i cried my heart out. i was convinced that i would never see him again.

he got in touch within a week or so and i could tell immediately that things weren't quite as bad as i was expecting them to be. after a couple of months when he came home for r&r he told me what it was like over there and while it didn't sound all fun and games, neither was it all doom and gloom. by the time he had reached the end of his tour he had actually become bored!

at the end of the day we have the best forces in the world and the best training that they can offer so i KNOW that he will be in safe hands. i know its easier said than done but try not to worry to much,(and drink too much,it'll make you feel worse) i'm sure he will be fine. he'll be in regular contact with you as they have access to email and telephone and if you need to write to him you can get special envelopes from the post office(they're known as blueys for uk forces,not sure about u.s). he'll be home before you know it, bold as brass and full of daft stories!

best wishes for you and yours,lee.x

[southernbelle47]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Iraq

Hey Em,

My son was in Iraq in 2003 just after the first push through to Bagdad. He is a Marine with the 23marines out of Montgomery Ala. Home based out of La.

I KNOW what you are going through.

I don't know if you're a Christian or not but that is the only thing that got me through it all and left me almost sane!

Someone sent me an e-mail early in 2003 that contained a very important phrase.....it is "BE STILL"...the rest of that verse is "and KNOW that IAM GOD.Psalm 46:10

It was very hard for me to do since I'm a very "busy" lady.
But I found out that when He says "Be still"....He has something to teach us that we cannot learn while filling our time with all sorts of activities.Lots of good stuff...like church studies and attendance and of course all the busy work I could find.

Well, the good news is.....He got back Sept. 27, 2003. He finished school in Auburn Al. and he is getting married this Sept.

I just want you to know that there is Hope and you and your hubby will make it through. It's was as hard or harder on my hubby because "men are susposed to be strong" and not show emotion. This is a lie!! Hold him too and cry and pray together.

Praying for you and all others in like places.

Nancy

[southernbelle47]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Anyone with loved ones in Iraq?

Thought I would bump this one up to the top. It's a subject close to me heart!

Nancy:l

[nomorewine]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Iraq

Hi Em -

My cousin just started his second 6 week tour in Afghanastan. He is flying C130 cargo jets in/around the country. We thought he's be safer in air but he said he'd rather be on the ground! Either way, its very stressful. He goes 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off. This is to go on for 18-24 months. My brother is headed back to Iraq in November. All I can do is pray. Its so out of my hands. Somedays, the only way I can deal with it is by trying not to think of it at all. :s And that's really hard. I think they call it denial? Hang in there.

[southernbelle47]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Pray?

"All I can do is pray"..........This is the only thing that got me through my son's stay in Iraq... My knees got a good working out!

I think prayer is the BEST thing we can do...If not ,then we feel so helpless.

My prayer for the ones over there is always:

Hedges of protection surrounding them(physically, mentally, emotionally)

A cool breeze

Clean and cool water to drink & bathe in

Letters of hope from home

And most of all....the Presence of God's strongest angels to protect and fight for them.

Amen

Nancy:h

[Mary Anne]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Em, My brother just got back , so there is light at the endo of the tunnell......I feel the pain you feel and was in your shoes about 2 yrs ago when he had to go as he is my only linving brother, my other one died in a motocycle accident 6 months before he was deployed!! My poor mom, bless her soul!! you are in my prayers, and I hope he will be fine!

Love,

Mary Anne

[GratefulEm]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Thank you all. this is definitely the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow for Fort Bragg to go say good-bye and help put my son's affairs in order. This really gets me in touch with my anxiety and fear and how much more progress I need to make in working through it. I "think" I'm a Christian, but sometimes I just don't know. Aren't we all headed in the same place? Why all the division and fighting? I love the native American beliefs. And the Buddhists seem to make alot of sense. I get so confused. OUr world is spinning out of control so fast that it's difficult to know WHAT to believe.
But anyways....

[mollruss]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Trust your own heart Em and always follow it, learn to trust in yourself and beleive in yourself. I believe in the spiritual way of things and let you guide help you as he is now x Sending you lots of love, Moll x

[Mary Anne]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

My prayers too

As always you are in my prayers and have my support.........if you need to talk privately, ezboard me, hopefully I can give you personal experience(?)

Much love an support from us all.

Mary Anne

[Guest]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

My Husband is in Afghanistan...

My husband left in May, and that's why I've been lurking here! There hasn't been one night in the past 4 months he's been gone where I haven't downed 3 or 4 tall tumblers of gin & tonic. Before that, he was deployed to Kosovo, and it was the same thing. I bought the book, supplements, and am ready to get on with living a healthier life. I've spent hours reading the posts on this website, just haven't mustered up the guts to depart from my night time ritual! Help!

Grace

[InnerStrength]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Hi Grace and Welcome

Hi Grace
I am so sorry to hear of the anguish you must be going through. Just wanted to say welcome and to let you know that we are here to support you and to listen.
Just curious from your name - are you from Canada? BC, Canada?
hugs
Jen

[GraceBC]

Anyone have relatives in Iraq?

Jen, Thank you for the welcome. I'm from the U.S., not Canada.