Recently, when I entered a post office in the area where I live to mail a copy of my recently published book, "Words in Bloom",to my nursing school instructor of 31 years ago,I met a man at that time who told me when I invited him to come to the South Carolina Book Fair in February of 2006 that he may be in Iraq in the war at that time; but if he is still home, he said he will see about coming. This man is a man of honor; and even though he is older, he was still willing to go to war to protect this country. It was so inspiring to me that someone over the age of 50 would be willing to go to war to protect me and even my children who are much younger than he is. As well, he will be fighting for all Americans who share in the freedom we so easily take for granted. I admire this man, and I thank him for his courage to face the unknown; and his willingness to do the honorable thing even though he will be apart from those he loves, as well as, be at risk of harm.
I was so very touched that I wrote him a poem, and gave him a copy of the poem that day and a copy of my book, "Words in Bloom". It took me about 15 minutes to write the poem, and I was so gratified to share the poem with this "hero", which he is in my eyes.
Sometimes, like in this event, we must reach out to others if we wish to share life and the goodness within the time that we have. I was richly blessed for having met this man and having shared a poem with him. My gift is such that I am able to write a poem "on the spot" so to speak. I thank God everyday for my gift, and I reach out in every opportunity I have to share my gift with others. God has filled my "bucket" with far more than it could ever contain. I thank God for His blessing upon my life. May the following poem bless you as well.
"I Was Called Up Today"
I was called up today
To serve the country
I hold so dear --
I was called up today
To be an example
Of why and how
We as a country
Are still here...
I was called up today
To serve with honor
And to fulfill
My due --
I was called up today
To protect our land
Our children
And you --
I was called up today
To serve with all
My heart --
As from my land
And family
I will be apart...
I was called up today
To protect our land
With honor
And dignity --
I will serve
Beneath my Father's
Hand
And fulfill my destiny...
Prayerfully I walk
Into an unknown
Land
And I will walk
In peace
As I cling
To my Father's
Holy hand...
I would like to personally thank a very kind journalist by the name of Henry E. Green with The Press and Banner in Abbeville, S.C. It is because of his kindness that this story was shared with others. I feel certain that when Henry first met me he may have wondered what I was doing; but as he listened to me, I could tell that he truly understood me and what I was trying to do. He graciously shared this lovely story in a wonderful article on November 23, 2005, in The Press and Banner in Abbeville, S. C.
I also would like to acknowledge Wayne "Scooter" Brown, a brave man, who is willing to go into an unknown land to fight for his country and its citizens. What a man of honor. I give him my personal thank you for his consideration and acceptance of his due.
I hope that you have enjoyed this story and poem as much as I enjoyed the process of God leading me on this path of meeting Wayne "Scooter" Brown and Henry E. Green.
May this bless you. May it also help you remember as I do that we do have unknown heros like "Scooter" who ask nothing but are willing to give all.
all rights reserved
Juanita Pittman-Brown
November 29, 2005
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