Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to wish all the Mothers reading this a very happy Mother’s Day. Whether you know it or not, you are greatly appreciated and loved by all. As for my precious wife, I can only say thank you for the gift of our little boy. I know he already loves you more than anyone in the world, just as his dad does. I’d like to thank my mom for all her love and support in everything I do. I’m sorry I don’t tell you more often how much I love you and how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I’d also like to thank my grandmother and mother-in-law. Both of you are the sweetest ladies in the world. I’m a better person for having the opportunity to be a part of all of your live’s.

I doubt that Iraq celebrates Mother’s Day, but I would still like to thank all the mothers here in Iraq. You may be relegated to the shadows of this society, but you don’t go unnoticed to me. I see you toil in the fields, weighted down with heavy burdens, riding in the back of trucks, cars, buses, and donkeys. I see you bringing home the sustenance that will nourish your children. I see the love you have for your children and the love they have for you in return. While most of you may not directly acknowledge our presence, I see your smiling eyes as your children wave to us with glee, looking to you for acceptance, then turning back to us less inhibited after gaining your smiling approval. Thank you for that. While you may not wave yourself, I thank you for teaching your children, even if it’s behind closed doors, that the American soldiers are good and decent and that it’s okay for them to acknowledge that. Your children are the future of this country, and their joyous smiles are the best reward we could ever hope to have.


A proud Iraqi mother showing off her twins