As the Spirit Moves Me
by Pam Burns-Clair

August 30, 2005

This is written in memory of Timothy Shea, corporal with the U.S. Army Rangers in Iraq, killed on Thurs, 8/25

My heart goes out to you, another mother who knows you not but you have been woven into my circle by my 2 neighbors... You have received news this week that your son serving in the Army Rangers in Iraq will come home in a flag draped coffin. I received news about this tragedy as I was packing up brownies to send to my nephew who begins his college career and life in the dorm out of state this week. Your plight--the cease and desist of your son's life--the pending funeral/military burial and then the quiet, the void he'll leave behind is too sad to bear. The localness of it--the 1st casualty from this war in Sonoma--brings the reality of this war and its steep price all the more glaring. All the prayers, the food, the flowers, candles that I hear surround you, the vigils, the letters, protests, funds raised and appeals made to the politicians seem so inadequate at this moment. I'm sure you must believe he died for a noble cause to protect our freedom. How could you bear any other reality? But my heart is anguished, ranting, spitting venom at the fact that your son should be turning 23 next week, he should be receiving brownies to mark his future, the snuffing of this young life should not be.

From my heart to yours,

Pam Burns-Clair