IN ONE SECOND you are walking through the door after a long day at work, the sound of your family talking and laughing fills your ears, bringing you instant warmth and happiness. You walk into the dining room, your wife has made your favorite meal and you watch as your children set the table. You sit down and start devouring the meal like it’s your last.

IN ONE SECOND you are watching television in the living room trying to keep a brave face in front of your family while the news blasts the horrible things happening in the world.

IN ONE SECOND your whole world crashes as you receive the letter you prayed would never show up. The letter that can end your life. The letter that now means you are leaving the people you love to fight a battle you never asked for.

IN ONE SECOND you are in the field covering your face as explosions go off all around you. The people you grew close to are now covered in their own blood. The thought of a stranger knocking on your door to deliver the bad news to your wife that you have been killed and would never return to her again is all your mind can focus on.

IN ONE SECOND your eyes shut as the last shots fired and you hear people running. You are alive but you are stuck to the ground. You finally find the little strand of strength you have left and pick yourself up. You look around and see nothing but bodies. Bodies and blood. Suddenly you wish you were one of them.

IN ONE SECOND you collapse onto your chair after walking away from a few men you were able to save. You are tired, worn out, you can’t keep going on like this. You haven’t seen your family in God knows how long. Are your children grown? Do they know who you are? Are they proud? The tears burn your eyes, however that’s the best feeling you’ve had all day. 

IN ONE SECOND you begin to understand that while the bullets and bombs might not have physically hurt you, they hit every spot emotionally.