the poppies blow;

[notachickenhawk]

Sender: Anonymous
To: Everyone
Subject: War

I know this is a difficult subject for some so please move along if it is for you. But for those of you who have been in wars or battles (formal or not) - how do you deal with it after?

At least from my perspective it's not over yet, but... I don't have to fight here. I don't have to be afraid for the lives of myself or those around me. But the blood is still on my hands. The battles I fought still took their toll. Nothing seems to help. I've heard 'time will help' but that doesn't do anything for me now, when I need help.

I don't normally ask for help, but I'm at a loss here.

Comments

[notachickenhawk]

[That's... fair. It just hurts to write.]

She told me she showed up here as she died.

[flamberge]

My condolences.

[and he sincerely means that.]

First and foremost, allow yourself to feel the feelings that you do about this. Losing a person you care for as a result of battle is never easy. However, do not allow those feelings to consume you and drive your actions. Remember all that the two of you have worked for, remember what all the sacrifices were for, and remember that you remain and can do what your companion no longer can.

[notachickenhawk]

It hurts. I mean, obviously it does, but she didn't deserve that. She deserved to live. She has family, a lot of family, that cares about her.

[He's got Ax and apparently his mother's alive, but other than them...]

We all knew it might come down to that. ... I just can't believe it actually did.