Letters Exhibit
Gloria Caldas, Who Lost Her Son in Iraq, Reaches Out to Another Grieving Mother To Help Her Through Her Anguish
Personal commentary: The unrecognized heroes in every war are the loved ones on the home front, and particularly those who have lost a spouse or family member. Gloria Caldas is, in my opinion, one of the most heroic individuals I have ever met. Not only because she lost her son Ernie in Iraq and has made the ultimate sacrifice a parent can make for a nation, but because she reaches out to other mothers whose sons or daughters have died. Gloria sent the following e-mail to a woman named Terry Ward, whose son, Tony, was killed in Afghanistan. (Terry had written to Gloria, whom she did not know, after seeing a sympathetic message that Gloria had written for Tony’s tribute page on the Internet.)
Oh Terry! I know so well the pain you are going through. I wish no one else would have to go through what our families have experienced. During the first several weeks after Ernie’s “Homegoing,” I fell into a black hole.
I guess this was the Lord’s way of protecting me from the horror of the unthinkable. Losing a child is a bad thing. In my anger, the Lord and I had quite a few very lively discussions! But little by little, I began to climb out of the despair with the loving support of family, friends and my faith. Ernie was not married yet, but he did leave a grieving fiancee who has not yet recovered. They were scheduled to marry on June 12th. It’s now been 9 months since he was killed, I am finally able to provide support and comfort to those around me . . . his sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all those who have also been deeply affected by his loss….
Nothing will ever be the same, but you learn to just take one day at a time. Sometimes there are bad days, sometimes worse days. But I know that as long as I have a breath in my body, my son will live in my heart. I’m sure you feel the same. My faith sustains me and I know that I will be reunited with him when I too go Home. I know I’m rambling, Terry. My heart aches for you. Please get back to me. Tell me more about Tony. I’m sure your extremely proud of him, as I am of Ernie.
By His Grace,
Gloria
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