Just Listen

This husband and I…

Wrapped up our time at the Ezy Kleen Laundromat...

An older-than-me gentleman…reminded me of my grandpa…was a little on edge..trying to figure out the machines…a sweet attendant was helping…but he seemed lost…and confused…until…I guess I need my hearing aides…which he retrieved from his truck…

He sits…and sighs…and turns to this old gal…his hat…held an American flag and a collection of pins…his wife wanted the drapes washed…had back surgery two months ago…but she’s not bouncing back…

He’s not sure about the world these days…war is never good…his older brothers fought in WWII…it messed them up…he was drafted at 22…just got married and bought his first house…it cost 7,000…

He fought in Viet Nam…stayed in the trees…never went to town…the people they were fighting for…would slit your throat in a minute…

He was assigned an automatic weapon…because they said he was the best shot around…they held up three fingers…he asked what it meant…three seconds…they said…that’s all you’ll get…you’ll be down in three seconds…

He couldn’t shoot constantly…or the gun top got too hot and melted…bullets flew all around…but somehow missed him…the guy that brought him the ammo…said he must be…the luckiest guy around…

He got hit…though…several times…and they eventually sent him home…

He’s been retired 25 years…has a house in the country he bought for 81 grand…is now worth 650,000…

The attendant came…his laundry was done…he shuffled off…

This old gal sat…unusually speechless…Our today….triggering His yesterday…what an amazing story…what an amazing man…
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And this husband of mine…agrees.