Please know that when the men of weapons platoon found you, scared and crying that many of them including John fell apart. You undid them. You and your scared wide brown eyes and dark curls brought many of them to their knees.
They took your picture that day. You are a tiny bundle of pink and blue flowers and puffy sleeves set against the digital camouflage jacket of John’s sergeant who did not set you down for hours. Please know that John keeps your picture though he looks at it rarely because it hurts so much to remember.
What can I say to you? That I am sorry goes without saying. Does it help that my son suffers because of that day? Does it matter to your life that he will carry your image with him forever? Probably not, I don’t see how it can but I will tell you that I love you.
As one American woman to you three Iraqi women, I am sure you cannot welcome this connection but I feel it nonetheless. Taking your families from each of you has also lost my son to me for he will never be the same. In this way we are forever deeply connected. To each of you, Assalamu alaikum, peace be upon you.
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