Love and War
“Should I text her ?” he asked. Turning to look at my 19 year old soldier boy who was obviously struggling with a big problem I replied, ” Well! I think you really want to, otherwise you wouldnt be asking” “Of course!”, says I, “She wouldnt have trusted you with her number if she didnt see something that she liked about you”. 
Fingers start typing earnestly into his little mobile phone. Decisions been made think I, now I can concentrate on my driving this young man back to base safely… Arghhhhh *** *** I hear him say..
” Whats wrong” I enquire…. He tells me everything he writes just sounds stupid, so I tell him “just be yourself and keep it real, thats all that matters”.
Does she know your going away for six to nine months I enquire. He tells me she doesnt, as he thought if he told her he was off to Iraq tonight she may think he was full of bulls***t. A big smile crosses my face and I think how much I love this young man sat beside me. The young man who spent over a hundred pounds on clothes he didnt really need nor like that much, who then went back to the same shop the week after and bought the shirt he is wearing in this pic, all because he really like the young lady who had served him…Lol He on the second visit had plucked up courage to ask for her telephone number, which was duly given, much to his surprise I think. By the time we got to camp he had pushed the send button and a reply had given him reason to smile.
Patrick had a long journey ahead of him, an eight hour drive to Brize Norton where he will be flown to the Iraq/Iran border, he was much quieter before heading off this time and seemed to be delaying going back to camp, He did say that he has been selected for an operation with 3 others and is feeling his role carries a huge responsibility, it showed.
This is one of Patricks favourite songs, he told me this is the song he kept singing to himself on a thirty mile run ending a 3 day gruelling exercise that he had to complete before passing his training. He said it kept going round and round his head as he was running and it kept him going.
It was a busy Saturday, the girls came up from London to celebrate my eldest sons 30th birthday and see Patrick off on his tour of duty, by Sunday afternoon they had all left again. Im missing them all already and must admit to feeling a little sad, but smiling at the thought of Patricks journey down to Brize Norton being brightened by the text messages that obviously meant a lot to him..
A certain mother will be popping into a certain store in town, to have a peek at a certain young lady who made her son smile at an important time. Just a look mind, as its not my space, but Im curious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and nosey and grateful for the distraction as I found it hard driving him back this time, knowing he could be away for another 9 months maximum.
That shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL
