Written by Tech. Sgt. Christina Gamez
From www.doubleduty.dodlive.mil
Today I saw the ugly side of this war/conflict – whatever we’re supposed to call it now. A couple of days ago, a civilian bus hit an IED (improvised explosive device) meant for U.S. and coalition forces. The bus was filled with mostly parents and their children.
This morning, a small group of us women went over to the Afghan hospital to see if we could help. There were so many women on the bus who had not yet been able to bathe and had requested women help them rather than the male hospital workers. While the doctors did what they could to mend their wounds and broken bones, most still had on their bloody and torn clothes. I saw a mom who lost five children, and a little 7- or 8-year-old girl who was in so much pain, we could not yet clean her up.
We met a mom with a broken jaw and her 2-year-old baby with two broken legs. The baby has been waking up crying and clinging to her mom ever since the accident. We couldn’t get her changed either because she was still so nervous around people and most likely in pain because of her legs. We did what we could to get the mom more comfortable. She was amazingly kind and strong. Her husband was there watching over them and it was very endearing to see them together.
We met another 6- or 7-year-old who let us clean her up. She was able to sit up with some assistance. With the help of our interpreter and the girl’s father, we were able to put her at ease after they explained why we were there. I had brought some of my Bath and Body Works lotion thinking the girls might like it, since my daughter does, and we finally struck gold! Once we finished cleaning the little girl, we put on some of the coconut mango body lotion and she loved it so much, we got a smile. It really lifted our spirits to see that.
We brought stuffed animals, books and changes of clothes, all of which were very appreciated. This was another one of those experiences I will probably not ever forget. I’m sure I will keep that short smile close to my heart for a very long time.
As a woman and as a mom with young children, this was a hard morning. But I would go back a hundred more times for just one more smile. I hope she knows there are people out there who care.
