The Crucible: A Poem for Brett

Day 1

2 AM sounds the bugle call

I am sleeping alone in our bed

A 6 mile hike to the site

I toss and turn, dreaming of you

Warrior Stations await

You are the strongest man I know

Leadership Reaction Course

A “Father” of the platoon, you will guide the way

5 mile hump till night

I rock our baby to sleep

A few hours of respite

God’s presence will go with you, and He will give you rest (Exodus 33:14)

Day 2

4 AM wake up call, the trumpets sound again

Our bed has never felt so big and so empty at once

Kraft’s Struggle, The Sky Scraper, The Stairway to Heaven

Those ladders you used to climb were child’s play

Simulated casualties are only a glimpse of the work that lies ahead

My lonely heart seems insignificant

Navigating through the darkness

Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-4)

 Sleeping out among the stars

Know that we gaze upon the same moon

Day 3

3 AM is near, do you hear the battle call?

I smile as I sleep, knowing you will be home soon

9 mile hike

My heart is filled with pride for your devotion and victory

An eagle

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31)

A globe

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God (Ruth 1:16)

An anchor

The Lord is my rock, my strong place, and the One who sets me free.  (2 Samuel 22:2)

A Marine

My husband, my daughter’s father, my helpmate, my companion, my best friend, my honor, my pride, my Love