Grace Under Fire

I’ve been thinking about this post for several days now … what to write about … how to write it … what would be the focus?  Well, after everything jumbling in my head for the past two weeks … it’s hard to believe that it’s been two weeks since ‘Joe’s “accident”. Although Granny & Grandad have been living in a fog just as the ‘Joe’s have, there’s just certain things that are worth taking note of.   

And one of these is our daughter – 

Mrs. G. I. Joe

I want to first give everyone a little background on the ‘Joe’s.  They met each other at the beginning of their 9^th grade year at our church’s private school, became best friends, never dated each other, but knew they were both meant for each other.  They renewed their companionship around Memorial Day 2005, officially began “dating” early July ’05, officially became engaged October ’05, and married on Christmas Eve 2005.   

God definitely knew what He was doing when He created these two!

Well, now for the past few weeks …

As you may remember, our grandson “Tag” was born in the early morning of Feb 9^th (after Mrs. ‘Joe had an “extensive” labor of a whopping 2.5 hours).  ‘Joe was out on assignment and had to be contacted through the Red Cross of his son’s birth.  So, now Mrs. ‘Joe has an energized 3 ½ year old toddler and a newborn.   

She celebrated her birthday on Feb 13^th with 2 precious angels sent by God Himself to complete their family.   

Then on Monday morning, Feb 20^th, she received a phone call from the Casualty Dept. (heart literally sinks & tears flow immediately upon the introduction).  ‘Joe had been in an accident ... actually an explosion.

Well, from that moment forward Mrs. ‘Joe (our daughter) has shown her true-grit & resolve … and her deep devotion to her soul-mate.  Right after the personnel on the other end of the phone allowed her to talk to her husband, she began making phone calls to ‘Joe’s family.  She decided that she needed to tell them herself about the accident so that they could be spared the heartache that she felt from being introduced to the Casualty Dept. 

For the following moments, hours, days to follow she was on the phone constantly receiving updates with each process that ‘Joe was going through (whether one of his numerous surgeries, flights from all over the world to eventually stateside, administrative procedures, etc).  And of course, there were calls from ‘Joe himself when he was able to call & talk. 

All of this … along with a toddler & a newborn.  All the emotions of having a newborn by her side most of the day … 

and a toddler who loves her Mommy & Daddy so dearly and just wanted to 

“help Mommy feel better” 

 and 

“help Daddy’s boo-boos feel better so he can come home.” 

I do not believe there’s any parent on the face of the planet who wants to see their child hurt – physically or emotionally.  Yet for these past couple of weeks, Grandad & I have witnessed the hurt that has engulfed our kids.  G. I. Joe was hit with the physical, and his Mrs. was hit with the emotional.   

Grandad & I always refer to them as “our kids”.  You see, when they said “I do” they became “one” in the eyes of our Lord & Savior.  And therefore, G. I. Joe became our son.   

He is just as much a member of our family as anyone in our bloodline.   

And isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

Well, to just conclude about Mrs. ‘Joe …

Grandad & I have seen her go through so much hurt and devastation over the past 2 weeks.  We’ve seen her rise to each occasion with grace & direction. Her focus throughout this journey has been on her wounded soldier and their children.  She has held herself up with dignity which is a reflection of her devotion to her soldier & family.   

Whether gathering information from around the world (and feeling helpless that she couldn’t be “there” with her soldier) or meeting his commanding officers here stateside ... 

Whether sending family members updated information as she receives it (and not even having time to process it herself before relaying her notes to everyone) ... 

Whether explaining to Princess Lucy that Daddy has some boo-boos that the good soldiers are helping to feel better (all-the-while venturing into this whole unknown territory herself) …

She … our daughter … Mrs. G. I. Joe is the walking, breathing definition of

Grace Under Fire