THE ELDEST OF NINE

The eldest of nine... the class of '64
An abusive mother
A father who looked the other way
A tall skinny kid who wet the bed
A priest who went too far

Not very good in sports but did participate and tried hard...
prayed and cried at night to be better

A shy loner who sought "love" and happiness
and caring and acceptance and friendship

Fell hard for every girl and hurt when it when it was over...
cared much for those that wouldn't give him even a second

Volunteered for the Army

Volunteered for Viet Nam

Volunteered for an infantry advisor assignment...
put his life in danger and received significant medals for valor...
to please his father and to be someone people looked up at

But no one did...
no one seemed to care...
no one even noticed his medals...
his pain...
his anguish

Two wonderful kids from his first marriage
but still looked for "love" in the wrong places

Another marriage that has lasted
but still looks for real happiness

What is happiness?

When will the hurting end?

THE ELDEST OF NINE

©Copyright August 15, 2005 by Charles Schwiderski