While watching the Ft. Hood memorial on TV, Ayden came in the room and saw me crying. We talked about what had happened and I explained that Soldiers had died and they were honoring and remembering all of them today. He clung to my leg, looked up at me and said, "Mom, you're not going to do that are you?" I asked, "Do what, Ayden?" He asked with great concern, "You're not going to have to go and shoot the bad guys are you?" Understanding that he was really asking me if I was going to die like them because I'm a Soldier. At first I wasn't sure how to respond, but finally I told him, "Honey, your mommy is a Soldier, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to die. I might have to go to war, but that doesn't mean that I won't come back home to you. Being a Soldier is my job and I love my job. I do it for you, for your brother, your sister and your Daddy. I love my Country as much as I love you." He seemed content with the answer. I now understand that I need to take the time to have a lot more conversations like that with my kids! ~~~sniffle~~~sniffle~~~
