VA Rifleman resumes regular posting with this post.
And, of course, his piece provoked some thought...
This, my friends, is why we fight.
Not for some stupid theoretical concept of what is fair and what is not, not for some worthless economic theory that may be true but mostly serves to support a lot of debate and a lot of academia, not for this political party or that, not for some rotting piece of paper that has had more money spent on preserving it than you or I will make in five lifetimes.
Why I fight has more to do with a few pounds of innocence and diaper-filling capability than it does economics, a political theory, or who is in charge of the American government.
See, none of those theories matter when you look into your baby's eyes for the first time. They were the furthest thing from my mind when I was there, looking at my children for the first time. The only coherent thought that came into my mind upon seeing the eyes of each of my six children was, "I will protect you and your mother, no matter what". None of those theories and philosophies matter when you watch that baby grow and become an increasingly independent person. Although we pass these ideas to our children, they are not what matters.
Marriage. Children. Family. Blood. Tribe.
That's what matters.
In fact, you could say its all that matters. Everything else is just an enabling tool.
Agreed. I am working on my third generation now, with grandchildren being born. Seeing grandchildren for the first time is almost as stunning as meeting your own children for the first time.
ReplyDeleteMy folks are still with us, but are fading, my health has taken a setback, but I raised my son as well as I could and he is raising his in the same manner so far. There are four generations of my tribe, and only the youngest is unable to continue the fight (for now). Nothing quite as dangerous as a man with his back to a wall who knows he has nothing to lose and much to gain his family by fighting.
My *few pounds of innocense* is now 32 so I am fighting for ME and my wife.
ReplyDeleteJust as noble of a reason.
ReplyDeleteAP
I have no children, no wife, and a family in decay after years of self abuse and mindless battles for self-worth. Losing battles, of which, all are and have been for them.
ReplyDeleteI, personally, have nothing left to lose except a freedom that I have probably never seen or felt in it's true form, and nothing to gain except the knowledge that my sacrifice, and my sacrifice alone, might make a difference to those who come after I'm gone.
The most dangerous thing on the planet is something that has nothing left to lose, and is willing to lose even that to continue this cause. The anger (and the love) that drives me, has me coiled and ready to strike, knowing it will probably be my last act.
If there ever were a chapter in history to be written in my lifetime, that moment will be my last chance to make a difference. I will eagerly accept and relish that opportunity when it comes.