Hey, Ever'body!

[furtheradu]

I'm a bit shy talking 'bout mySelf, I've been a DU member since the *years..had to come back with a new username..that's ok, tho', Life has changed & so have I!
Where to start? When I 1st signed up, my only 'child' had enlisted. I thought I'd lose my damn Mind..he was deployed to Iraq, & I didn't sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time, for about 5 yrs. NO one I 'knew' could relate, or wanted to discuss, the post-911-*-war. I was truly in hell. I developed major depression, panic attacks, agoraphobia..
I spent days & nights, watching C-span, emailing & calling dc, PRAYING, & I found DU.
I found Military Families Speak Out, and Veterans for PEACE. Thanks God. I was online when other Mamas were terrified & unable to sleep. We supported, comforted, enCouraged each other. And I never let on to my Son, HE needed to stay focused on his job.
A life-changer.. I found my way to Camp Casey, after being house-bound for years, I camped 2 wkends in 3 weeks, with Gold Star Families, MFSO, Vets for PEACE, young Vets. My God. The Healing that took place.
We were camping when Katrina hit. Healing came to a stop when watching the aftermath, screaming at the tv, "GET THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF THERE!" disbelief that in a great American city, death & destruction was rolling, corruption & incompetence in full display, and our Sons & Daughters were in Iraq, even those near the devastation, were prevented from coming to the rescue.
GeeWhizzz..didn't mean to go off on a tear..more to tell, another time.

I am one of the lucky and Blessed..mine came HOME, whole, healthy and strong. Thanks God! 💖
I just need Y'all to know, DU helped me back then, & in the years since, even when all I could do is read DU.. I'm thank FULL for the learning, laughter & Light here. Thanks, Y'all!

[pkdu]

1. Welcome Back "GI Mama" nt

[furtheradu]

3. Thank you

SO goood to be here.

[NBachers]

2. You know, it's funny, but I keep finding these Laugh Out Loud things on DU and it changes everything

[furtheradu]

4. ..and it changes everything"..

YES

[Laffy Kat]

5. Hai!

Can't imagine what you went through. If either of my boys enlisted I would lose my mind. Welcome back. This place keeps me sane as well.

[furtheradu]

7. Hello, Laffy Kat!

Thanks for Your understanding!
After that, even a 'bad day' is a goood day!

for ALL our Sons & Daughters.

PS. there's a great anti-war song, "Sons & Daughters", I need to look that up, again!

[MFM008]

6. hi

[furtheradu]

8. Hello, YOU!

[lillypaddle]

9. So happy

your story had a happy ending.

[furtheradu]

11. Thank You!

I am lucky & BLESSED & thank FULL!

[democrank]

10. Glad your son is home and you are here.

Your post brought back so many memories about Military Families Speak Out and Veterans for Peace. I particularly remember many of the heart wrenching posts on DU by parents of deployed family members. I can't express how happy I am your son made it back.

Sending my very best and a hope for peace.

[furtheradu]

12. Thank You so much!

I appreciate Your kind words, and that You remember those Families.
💖 Your words touch my Heart. 💖
I don't take any thing for granted, that's for sure! Thank You, again!

[femmocrat]

13. Welcome back, furtheradu!

Love your new username. So glad everything is better for you now!

[furtheradu]

15. Thank you !

Goood to be here again!
& yes, things are SO much better!
Life is goood!

[Fla Dem]

14. Welcome back into the fold. Glad your son is home and I thank him for his service.

[furtheradu]

16. Thank You!

Your thought FULL ness means a lot!
..ME, too! glad & thank FULL!