Mar

24

SNOTTY FISH AND PTSD

Filed Under Life, Love, PTSD, Trauma, War | Comments Off on SNOTTY FISH AND PTSD

by Janet J. Seahorn

 

snotty-fishThis weekend I heard an experienced angler talk about the joys of being in a stream or lake fishing for Snotty Fish.  Snotty Fish, he thoughtfully explained, were those fish that were not easy to catch.  They were fish that could not be tricked by some ordinary fly or enticing lure. More than likely, such fish had, in some earlier time, been caught before and managed to escape through sheer luck, tenacity, or down right determination. After going through such a traumatic encounter, they were more cautious than most of their finned friends. They understood the consequences of impulsively taking the enticing lure.  Therefore, the fisherman who caught (and released) such a Snotty Fish had to be incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and persistent.  This particular angler made it clear that catching Snotty Fish was the best and most rewarding way to angle.

 

Listening to this person talk, I began to comparing how similar Snotty Fish were to veterans who are living with Post-Traumatic Stress.  Many of our troops have experienced the traumas of combat.  Men and women who have seen and participated in some of humanities worst deeds; deeds that stay etched on the mind and heart.  Vets, who when they return to the mainstreams of society, may be unable to trust others, their governments, and even themselves.  Yep, Snotty Vets! 

 

Snotty Vets, like Snotty Fish, are often hard to play out. They have experienced lessons in life that few of their fellow countrymen have ever imagined. Such knowledge often makes them wary of their surroundings, including trusting in their own abilities and worthiness.  For family and friends, this knowledge can make these Snotty Vets difficult to live with and understand. 

 

Yet, here is the beauty of being in streams with Snotty Vets—they are worth the time and effort to catch and reel back to wellbeing.  Health care professionals recognize this fact.  Families, friends and communities who walk the path through appropriate support, timely information and love come to empathize with the journey and value the internal strength, courage, and effort that each of them must live out in order to heal. 

 

So you see, Snotty Vets like Snotty Fish are well worth such effort. Simply swimming in their waters help us have greater gratitude for their sacrifice. 

 

Here’s a toast to all of you Snotty Vets, and to all the spouses, children, and siblings of Snotty Vets:  “May your new streams be filled with an abundance of peace, joy, and good vigor. May your days bring you fulfillment, and your nights quiet rest.  And may you continue to embrace your Snotty strength and leave behind the sorrows of the battlefield.  For you are our precious Snotty Vets.  We love you.  We honor you.  And, most of all, we need you to become whole again.”

Mar

22

What’s Worth Fighting For

Filed Under American Patriotism, Life, War | Comments Off on What’s Worth Fighting For

by Janet J. Seahorn

1061Some people may have a difficult time understanding what in this world would be worth giving one’s life.  The courage to go into battle knowing the possibilities.  Watching while others die or are severely wounded, and still continue to fight.  Many poets and philosophers have written how significant it is to live life for something beyond oneself.  To live for a cause greater than yourself.   This short video was sent to me by my brother.  While I listened to the music and watched the screen, it was abundantly obvious why America is definitely worth fighting for.  Beyond any political agenda, beyond any religious belief, beyond the love of family and friends, America has given us bountiful blessings with such amazing beauty.  Yes, America is not only beautiful; it is worth living and dying for in our lifetime.

http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

Mar

9

Don’t Quit

Filed Under Life, Peace, PTSD, Trauma, War | Comments Off on Don’t Quit

5bcby Janet J. Seahorn

Some days life is a real challenge.  It tests us in many ways.  Ways to be smarter.  Ways to be braver.  Ways to be more thoughtful.  Ways to be kinder and more compassionate.  And some days, ways to just keep getting up every morning, breathing through each minute and making it through some dark and lonely nights.  Living with Post-Traumatic Stress compounds all of these “tests”.  At times it may even seem that the journey is too long or too brutal; that the suffering is unending and the battle unachievable.  It is during such times that we must remember we are not alone in our ordeals.  Reminding that someone, something (for me it is my faith) is walking beside us telling us quietly that we will be OK.  Urging us, “Don’t Quit”.  We do not know what tomorrow may bring.  But if we Don’t Quit, I do believe in the appearance of a brighter, happier day.  Believe you have what it takes to pass any test.  And whatever comes your way —Don’t Quit!

Don’t Quit

Anonymous

 
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

 

Mar

2

Honoring Warriors

Filed Under American Patriotism, Events, PTSD, Quilts of Valor | 1 Comment

by Janet & Tony Seahorn

Veterans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Janet Seahorn

At first it appeared to be an ordinary Thursday evening in mid-February.  The soldiers of battles-past gathered at the new Fort Collins Vet Center for their weekly group meeting with the professional VA Staff.

They draw together to heal wounds that occurred long ago in a land far from home.  Wounds acquired from serving in Vietnam – a war where few were honored for their personal sacrifice for their country.  The veterans meet to try and understand why their scars linger and are still so painful after so many years.  And they meet to try and find a sense of recognition of what each has experienced in life – both past and present.

It was on this night that several Fort Collins community members presented a “Quilt of Valor” to those warriors who gave much and were given little in return. Through their generous donations, the community was able to acquire a special hand-made quilt for the presentation.

The quilt was one small way of saying “Thank you for your service and sacrifice”.  And, maybe, the quilt would become a symbol of comfort, hope, and honor.  This particular comforter was carefully crafted by Donna Roche and the Quilters of Rogers, Arkansas.  Her group has assembled and mailed over 700 similar quilts to wounded warriors in hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany and the United States.  Ms. Roche and her group explain the Quilt of Valor in this manner:

“The Quilt of Valor is our wounded warrior award for service, sacrifice and valor in the line of duty. It is our way of saying “Thank you for your service – you have not been forgotten.” Many caring souls are involved in making the quilts; from contributing quilt blocks, finishing the tops, and integrating each section into the final product. Each special quilt receives a “Quilt of Valor” label thanking the injured warrior for his/her dedication and sacrifice. The label contains the name of those involved in the making of each caring blanket.”

The Quilt of Valor is in fact a symbol of renewal.  It transforms the hands of war’s destruction through the caring quilter’s fingers of each blanket’s construction.  It shifts the heart from the darkness of combat to the light of a kinder future.  And, hopefully it moves the experiences of combat trauma to a quieter sense of peace.

On this Thursday evening, warriors who were never honored finally have their Quilt of Valor.  The gratitude in their teary eyes, said it all.  Perhaps, after all these years, others do care.  Perhaps, there is now a sense of acknowledgement of what these warriors gave without hesitation.  You see, it is never too late to say thank you, and the heart is never too old to feel the warmth of such a genuine gesture.