4000

It has been almost exactly 24 hours since we broke the 4000 dead from battle wounds mark here in Iraq--a dubious milestone coming so soon after the five-year mark. This article in the New York Times was a real heart-breaker/and tear-jerker. Here is a quote that caught my eye:

In excerpts published here from journals, blogs and e-mail messages, five soldiers who died in the most recent group of 1,000 mostly skim the alarming particulars of combat, a kindness shown their relatives and close friends. Instead, they plunge readily into the mundane, but no less important rhythms of home. They fire off comments about holiday celebrations, impending weddings, credit card bills, school antics and the creeping anxiety of family members who are coping with one deployment too many.

I will plead the fifth on those charges; but, the fact is, that keeping up with the rhythms of home, celebrations, and school is important. It keeps the link strong, it keeps the craziness outside one's head from coming in...
I am lucky that my job is to keep people healthy and not to deal with the after-effects (usually) of suicide bombers or IEDs. Despite the occasional threat of random mortars/rockets, I am have it pretty safe and secure here.
I regret and painfully feel every minute that I lose with my family, home, friends, and even my job back home, but my (and my family's) sacrifice pales in comparison to the men and women that are out on the front lines... a moment for them...