Imagine you... In My Shoes
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
...April 25th my mom was running around the house frantic, but with a smile as big as an apple on her face. My dad was coming home! He’s in the military and was stationed overseas for a second time. The last time he was sent over there it was for a year and then he came back home. He was a little messed up in the head when he came back but that’s because there’s a lot of crazy stuff you see when you’re over seas. It was so bad, he had to see a doctor for about 3 months just to settle down from the shakes. After about a month and a half from seeing the doctors he was able to talk about the things he saw. The doctor said he healed up pretty fast.
My dad would tell us the stories about some of the things he saw overseas. About how bad it was and how he and his troops were surrounded by enemy fire. But they had a plan and managed to escape! My dad even saved 2 of his team members from getting captured. He even received a medal for it when he returned home.
After being home for about 6 months he was called to go back. This time he was going to be gone for 2 years.
We saw a lot of stuff on the news about what was going on in the areas he was said to be in. A few times we thought he may have been killed or captured. My mother went crazy calling the government and the military people, trying to make sure he was ok. It always took them awhile to get back to us! But each time, we would receive a call back and it was always good news. In December we got word my father was coming home but he was going have to go through therapy again like last time. So he would have to stay at the military base until the doctor’s cleared him to be released. On April 15th we got a phone call from the military saying my dad was ok to go home. We were so happy to find out he was coming home and even better news was that he was getting out of the military for good.
My dad was going to be home from now on! Finally! My mom made plans, and I made plans! To me my dad was the best! And he had medals to prove it! When I grow up I want to be just like him!
On April 25th when we heard the knock at the door, we jumped up!
My mom ran to the door then hesitated before she opened it. She fixed herself up, then opened the door up wide. And there stood my dad! We had smiles and wide eyes just waiting to hear my dads’ first words.
My mom reached out to hug him, but he gave no response. He just sort of walked into the house slowly. He looked around at everything as if it was his first time seeing it all. He walked right pass me. Didn’t even look or whisper a word. He headed straight for the living room. A few moments later there was another knock on the door. We turned to see a gentleman dressed in a uniform with some papers in hand. He introduced himself as an escort for my dad and then handed us the papers. He explained to us my dad has been through a lot. He suffered a great deal overseas! The doctors were able to bring him to a
settled state and he knows who he is, but he still suffers from flashbacks and dreams.
The doctors said it will take time for him to re-adjust completely back to reality. So… a little patience is needed!
The doctors also felt the best thing for him was home and family. So it’s now official! He is home for good! And discharged with honors!
The soldier then said he was one of the men who my father had rescued the first time they were sent overseas! He said “if it was not for my father he would not be here today”.
He felt it was an honor to escort him home to his family. He then left! We went in to the living room to see my father but he was just standing there. My mother went over to hold his hand, but he was still non-responsive! Then my mother began to cry.
My dad was like a vegetable! He wasn’t fully aware of what or where he was.
How we were going to handle this, we weren’t sure. But what ever it takes, my mom and I were ready! He’s home now! Its something we will have to adjust to!
My father is a strong man! And I know I’m strong because of him!
I know my mother will struggle a bit, but I'll be strong for her as well! I have to be the man of the house still until my dad is feeling better. But I know everything will be okay. I know it will!
My mother set up the extra room for my father to try and make him as comfortable as possible. She put lots of family pictures in the room so that it would help him back to reality.
On the morning of the 26th my mother called me to go to the corner store she wanted to make my dad a special breakfast. She gave me the money and then I went to grab my jacket, but stopped by to peak in at my dad first.
I said to him “I’m on my way to the store dad so I’ll see you when I get back. I love you”!
He didn’t respond so I just left!
I had just closed the house door and made it down 2 or 3 steps off the porch when...
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Imagine...
If it were you, instead of him or her. would you still feel the same as you do when you are looking at it from the other side? What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if you traded places with someone and were to feel, what they felt during their experience?
I found that myself and others, were missing the understanding of what people go through...how things are perceived by the victim. Also how closely related we are to the same issues.The book is presented to you, the reader, unedited and raw. Purposely to show there are flaws,mishaps and mistakes within all of us. We as a society tend to see the outside of things, the thing we call first impressions. We seem to only view the mask that covers, causing us to miss the true side of a persons story.
Just Imagine yourself traveling through the experience and the thoughts of someone else. seeing another side and possibly getting a second impression.
In the stories, the roles are changed! You are now viewing from a closer seat in the event, either as a character or mentally there with the character. As if the story included you! And now you are seeing the event through someone else’s shoes...
About the Author
I was raised by a strong Mother and Aunt as well as the elders in the family who taught me Pride and perseverance were the key to success. If I strive to be more then just the dancer.. I can end up as the choreographer and lead the way. The first step is the most important step!
I was always allowed the opportunity to try... and in the same frame, taught to be a sponge. Gather as much and learn as much!
As a youth I studied various instruments with a home focus in Violin and Saxophone. I played snare drum on a championship drum line and have always been into BKF martial arts since the age of 5. Presently I'm working in the field of aviation and writing... writing...writing.