In My Life

War

I stepped through the crowds and onto the field of grass. A small wind sailed across, rustling the tall blades. I shivered slightly and smiled. I had trained for miles for this moment. My men did, too, and the crowd inside the stadium cheered me on. My men were smiling and shouting my name at the top of their lungs. My commander stood proudly by my side, his jovial smile hiding his unspoken worries, knowing that we all were in this together . . . and we were ready. We were going to do this. We were going to end this war. We were going to end this terrible war and bring peace to our home. I felt the cheering and the love. I knew this would be the longest moments of my life, harder than most any other test I faced in my training. It was an honor to accomplish this task and it was my duty to finish it. I took another step, with purpose, gazing into the horizon with a resolved focus. I believed in something bigger than myself. I believed that anything could be accomplished. I knew the sacrifices of my men were going to be worth it. On the My commander stepped up behind me and clapped me on the back. He was a good, strong, sturdy man if I ever met one. And I knew the tears of those below us meant nothing, they were sentimental and useless. He stepped forward and we started marching into them. We were going to do this. I felt the determination and pride, knowing I was going to make this happen. And pain was inevitable. In retrospect, I see that I got a little too overwhelmed at times and in the moment. You see, the prequel to this I was reading, was very different. It had flashbacks in it. Not long ones. Short ones .other side of the field sat the opposing army. They were smiling, confident, arrogant and conceited in their superior numbers, their superior training, their superior coordination, and their superior strength. They were conquering generals who were used to having their way. But we were fighting to take back what rightfully belongs to us.