I am going to go a little off schedule here with this post today. I know it’s Monday, and it’s Ellies’ day, but she did not get any baking done this last week, so I decided to follow up on a post I made last week.

The Marine that ended his life way too early left behind a pregnant wife and three kids. I would like to before I get into anything at all about those left behind post this link to the gofundme for this family as they had left everything to go homesteading in Maine and spent their entire life savings doing so.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-for-jonathans-grieving-family?attribution_id=sl:77f05deb-815a-447f-a9bb-b33e19a33338&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

I ask anyone who can help. Please think about doing so if only a couple of dollars as this young lady figures out how to continue life now without the love of her life. I know this couple and saying love of her life is completely accurate. Who moves to Maine and starts a homestead with someone they are not completely in love with.

Being left behind might be the most hurtful thing ever. I remember sitting in the corner of a yard at midnight, unable to move, realizing that Johnny had, in fact, for real left me behind, and I would never get to spend another minute with him again. I will never forget the minute I was able to finally let it sink in that he was gone for real. Nobody could say anything to me at that moment as I just wanted to be alone in my thoughts.

I have hugged mothers, fathers, wives, and children of my brothers who went before me. It is such a different feeling holding those loved ones of the ones we lost in combat. It is such a sad and confusing feeling between us when we lost them to the war at home. There is nothing any of us can say to make it better because we all blame ourselves and wonder what we could have done to show them we loved them more than they knew.

The look on a child’s face when they realize that their father or mother will never come home is a moment no person ever wants to have to be there for, but I have had to tell one child this myself and it almost broke me.

Those who are left behind have nothing but tears to shed and memories to replay over and over until the sound of their voice fades in the memory, and the feeling of seeing them smile is lost to time.

Next time you feel that it is time to end it, stop and imagine it being you having to tell your child or wife you’re not coming home again. Step into the shoes of your brothers that have to hug your mother and tell her they love her and will always be there for her over your casket. Imagine it is you shaking your father’s hand as he holds back the tears that he is shedding in private at 3 am. While others are sleeping.

Remember, when you leave, you have those you’re leaving behind to continue on, and they have to now finish their race without you being their biggest fan. So please take a moment and remember your loved no matter what God said in John 3:16 He loves you and sent his son for you. His love is unconditional and free to anyone who wants it. JUST ASK HIM FOR IT.