Future of Soldiers

To describe what it is like to hold a newborn child is a task in futility. Each lucky relative will have their own experience. I held my great grandson when he had been in the outside world but five hours and any coherent thoughts I may have had are delegated to a misty nebula. I must have had grandiose musings about his future and all that goes with my expectations for our offspring but I cannot recall what they were. I can tell you now that raising a child in the twenty first century scares me no end because of social pressures, but with the newborn in my arms I had no such misgivings.
My children grew up in the 1950s and 60s. As I look back it seems like it was the colloquial piece of cake. They are wonderful adults. They contribute to their communities with all their energies and creativity. And since mine are such exceptional children that is showing great humility. I take my bragging rights as seriously as any Aesop magpie.
Case in point. When mother needed a cedar fence around her property, all came and constructed one. When mother insisted on painting her house (last brushed in 1975) a special weekend occurred and a fresh coat of paint covered the durable battleship gray. When I was helpless with my new computer two gurus came to my rescue. The varied list goes on and on.
But back to the newborn who thrives on family love and attention (as do the luckiest infants). And that frankly is the success story of Homo sapiens. Without love and attention - from family or strangers - the species would not have progressed to the present population. War and violence gives some individuals and nations momentary power but not longevity for citizens. And what of the honor to those who die in hopes of making the world a better place? What war has ever done that?
Although I do not for a minute discount the life of any soldier, I have better hopes for my great grandson.
Naomi Sherer