Oh Wendy I feel such a kinship with your story. My mom is your age and she grew up in San Francisco, protesting the Vietnam war. When I was a little girl also growing up in the city, the streets were lined with broken Vietnam veterans, begging for spare change. It had a huge impact on me. Then, my own generation had its own initiation into the military-industrial complex in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I protested both, following in my mother’s footsteps. It is heartbreaking beyond description what war can do to a man…I think about this so often. It’s impossible to look at the social upheaval and degradation over the last 50, 100 years without factoring in the world wars and even the Civil War — the first American feminists were actually largely responding to circumstances caused by a generation of broken men who had just come back from fighting against their own countryman in a brutally bloody war on their own soil. I particularly appreciate your point that men need women, too. Humans need one another. We were designed for relationship.
Isa, bless you! I went to a peace march in San Francisco in March of 1971, before I graduated High School in June of that year. It was an intense experience but it still took a couple more years for the war to finally end. I used to shelve books in a library and was always affected by what I called “the war aisle”, in the 940 section of the non-fiction aisle, books on wars, mainly WW1 and WW2. I hold fast to God and His Son, because otherwise I could not keep my emotions even mildly in check, with so much suffering and grief in the world. Keep writing, Isa, words are so powerful to help and heal! Also, I lived in San Francisco for 31 years!! Amazing place but bat-patooty crazy… and now live in the sticks in my Elder years. Wendy
Wow! That must have been quite an experience. Yes amen we must cling fast to the Lord, especially in these present disillusioned times. I’m so grateful to have connected and found your page!! I look forward to chatting more!
Wendy, my sister in Christ - This is one of the most heartfelt posts I've read all year. Your writing style grabs the heartstrings and tugs with a strong, yet vulnerable message. You are an example of "keeping on keeping on" through so much adversity in this life, hoping and waiting patiently for the joy you know is coming.
As to your reference to the "military-industrial complex" as one who has worked in the intelligence side of that for many years (both in and around the military/DOD), I can wholeheartedly agree. I was in the Navy in the later years of Vietnam and stayed in the reserves for years after that, including a trip to Iraq. I then worked as a contract Intelligence Analyst until retired several years ago.
We all think we are just doing good and fighting the "bad guys" of which there are multitudes. Until I retired and looked from the outside, that I saw who the really "bad guys" were that controlled both the "good guys" and the "bad guys" at our level of involvement in a perpetual struggle of "ideologies".
They really don't care at all about the resulting broken men, women, and families. At that level, we get caught up in the mission and don't think much about why wars continue or that it is really just a continuation from war to war - all for profit and power.
James said it best: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" - James 4:1 The sin of lust for power and money. Sadly it will continue until our Lord returns and puts an end to it, which He will (hopefully sooner rather that later).
Thanks for writing the way you do - even with "devinely inspired" repetition .... LOL.
Donald Schuler, what a kind and blessed thing to say! I feel sometimes that my only Friend is Papa God and His Son and Holy Spirit, even though I have a wonderful small church. I do not “hang out” much with my Bros and Sisters in Christ, they all have families, Grandchildren, lives…but I cherish my church fellowship on Sunday and Wednesday. To hear that I have some family here on Substack and Notes…that means so much. I turn 72 in two weeks…a good reminder I am not alone! Thank you again! Wendy
If my family knew you they would love you. Thanks for the thanks. We have two girls expecting and it’s been a hard first trimester for them. I plan on sharing your writing with them.
Donald, a belated extra thank you to you, that your family, if they knew me, would love me. I am blessed by this! I never did become a Mama but I know the most important job on earth is helping the little persons who journey through your body and enter the world, to grow up to be good people and give them a chance to do just that. Huge job and one I support 100%. Dads are included in this very important job!!! Godspeed to your two girls who are going through pregnancy, I pray that Papa God's helping Hands are with them all the way through. Not easy at all but so worthy. Wendy
No apologies needed.
Some things needed to be ready twice!
GOD bless and keep you!
Donn, thank you! I sincerely appreciate the support and kindness. Wendy
Thanks for these heartfelt words. May GOD help many hear and receive this message.
Oh Wendy I feel such a kinship with your story. My mom is your age and she grew up in San Francisco, protesting the Vietnam war. When I was a little girl also growing up in the city, the streets were lined with broken Vietnam veterans, begging for spare change. It had a huge impact on me. Then, my own generation had its own initiation into the military-industrial complex in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I protested both, following in my mother’s footsteps. It is heartbreaking beyond description what war can do to a man…I think about this so often. It’s impossible to look at the social upheaval and degradation over the last 50, 100 years without factoring in the world wars and even the Civil War — the first American feminists were actually largely responding to circumstances caused by a generation of broken men who had just come back from fighting against their own countryman in a brutally bloody war on their own soil. I particularly appreciate your point that men need women, too. Humans need one another. We were designed for relationship.
Isa, bless you! I went to a peace march in San Francisco in March of 1971, before I graduated High School in June of that year. It was an intense experience but it still took a couple more years for the war to finally end. I used to shelve books in a library and was always affected by what I called “the war aisle”, in the 940 section of the non-fiction aisle, books on wars, mainly WW1 and WW2. I hold fast to God and His Son, because otherwise I could not keep my emotions even mildly in check, with so much suffering and grief in the world. Keep writing, Isa, words are so powerful to help and heal! Also, I lived in San Francisco for 31 years!! Amazing place but bat-patooty crazy… and now live in the sticks in my Elder years. Wendy
Wow! That must have been quite an experience. Yes amen we must cling fast to the Lord, especially in these present disillusioned times. I’m so grateful to have connected and found your page!! I look forward to chatting more!
Wendy, my sister in Christ - This is one of the most heartfelt posts I've read all year. Your writing style grabs the heartstrings and tugs with a strong, yet vulnerable message. You are an example of "keeping on keeping on" through so much adversity in this life, hoping and waiting patiently for the joy you know is coming.
As to your reference to the "military-industrial complex" as one who has worked in the intelligence side of that for many years (both in and around the military/DOD), I can wholeheartedly agree. I was in the Navy in the later years of Vietnam and stayed in the reserves for years after that, including a trip to Iraq. I then worked as a contract Intelligence Analyst until retired several years ago.
We all think we are just doing good and fighting the "bad guys" of which there are multitudes. Until I retired and looked from the outside, that I saw who the really "bad guys" were that controlled both the "good guys" and the "bad guys" at our level of involvement in a perpetual struggle of "ideologies".
They really don't care at all about the resulting broken men, women, and families. At that level, we get caught up in the mission and don't think much about why wars continue or that it is really just a continuation from war to war - all for profit and power.
James said it best: "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" - James 4:1 The sin of lust for power and money. Sadly it will continue until our Lord returns and puts an end to it, which He will (hopefully sooner rather that later).
Thanks for writing the way you do - even with "devinely inspired" repetition .... LOL.
You have lots of family here!
Donald Schuler, what a kind and blessed thing to say! I feel sometimes that my only Friend is Papa God and His Son and Holy Spirit, even though I have a wonderful small church. I do not “hang out” much with my Bros and Sisters in Christ, they all have families, Grandchildren, lives…but I cherish my church fellowship on Sunday and Wednesday. To hear that I have some family here on Substack and Notes…that means so much. I turn 72 in two weeks…a good reminder I am not alone! Thank you again! Wendy
If my family knew you they would love you. Thanks for the thanks. We have two girls expecting and it’s been a hard first trimester for them. I plan on sharing your writing with them.
Donald, a belated extra thank you to you, that your family, if they knew me, would love me. I am blessed by this! I never did become a Mama but I know the most important job on earth is helping the little persons who journey through your body and enter the world, to grow up to be good people and give them a chance to do just that. Huge job and one I support 100%. Dads are included in this very important job!!! Godspeed to your two girls who are going through pregnancy, I pray that Papa God's helping Hands are with them all the way through. Not easy at all but so worthy. Wendy
Here's to honorable men everywhere! Good piece, Wendy (and no apologies necessary!).
Thank you, Jan. It was a difficult piece to write…through my tears. Thank you again! Wendy
Oh, Wendy, this brought back memories for me, of those two young men whose kinship we share! How I have wished that Tommy had come to us, in Canada.
Love you cousin.