ONE OF THE UNSETTLING THINGS about my journey, mentally, physically, and emotionally, was that I wasn’t sure when or where it was going to end.

I am always quiet so that I know what to say when I must speak.

My squad is my family, my gun is my provider, and protector, and my rule is to kill or be killed.

This days one must be careful to avoid awakening the pain of another.

I get a chance to observe the moon now, I still see those same images I saw when I was six, and it pleases me to know that that part of my childhood is still embedded in me.

I was still hesitant to let myself let go, because I still believed in the fragility of happiness.

...children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.