In My Own Words

Today has been a good day to hang laundry out on the line, so I’ve been doing laundry, and in between loads I got one care package put together and have written a letter or two. I hand wrote these letters, and it’s obvious by the pains now shooting through my wrist that I’m going to have to go back to typing. I don’t think it makes a lot of difference to the guys and gals who get the letters whether they’re hand written or not; nobody’s ever complained about it one way or the other. I’ve just wrecked my wrists processing textbooks for so many years, and it’s just easier and a LOT less painful to type. It’s hell getting old and falling apart…especially when I’m only 49. Geez…

Somebody left a comment in my guestbook at Multiply.com that said “I would like an address to write to a soldier” and proceeded to leave their name and address for me to send one to. Well, I replied through personal message and told them I can not give out soldier addresses. I listed several websites I get addresses from – you have to apply and be approved at each one of them, and all of them specify you are not to share the addresses with anyone who has not been approved by their site; nobody just gives out addresses for our troops willy-nilly.

There are a couple of the sites where you can read the profiles and wish lists of the troops who have applied to be a contact, but most send you a random address. I prefer to be able to read profiles so I can choose a troop that matches what I am able to offer as far as support goes.  One site states that if the requests are more than you can provide you should let them know and they will assign that Soldier to another supporter and send you a new one. Seems a little bit backward to me, but the troop they gave me just wants letters, and that’s something I can do, no problem.

When given the option to pick and choose, I go for the ones who specifically mention wanting letters and who are asking for basic wants and needs like socks, underwear, hygiene gear, snacks, things like that. I figure if “letters” is on their wish list, I don’t have to feel so bad when I come up short and all I can do is write letters.

I steer clear of the ones whose wish lists contain items like “laptop computer, X-Box, PlayStation, iPods, digital camera, golf clubs” etc. There are likely some sponsors who wouldn’t bat an eye about sending those items – but if there are, they certainly have deeper pockets than I do. Besides, I kind of feel like asking for those items is a bit much. While nice to have for entertainment in whatever “downtime” is available, they’re not necessities. Something about reading a profile that asks for basic everyday items we all take for granted (q-tips, feminine hygiene items, small pocket mirrors, fingernail clippers, foot care products, etc.)  just tugs at my heartstrings. I reckon I’m just a big ol’ marshmallow…oh, well; there are worse things to be, I suppose.