Well, I've been home for a week now and I'm still going to sleep at night with the images and sounds of Afghanistan in my head. The planes and choppers flying overhead along with sirens that go off when there are rocket attacks on the base have a way of ringing in your mind for days. I have a renewed gratitude for where I live and a perspective on life that will be forever changed.
I went into this experience with little understanding of the war or why exactly we were a part of it, but after arriving, realized that didn't matter. We were there to bring happiness and a small piece of 'regular life' through our music to soldiers who needed it. The shows were awesome - Beverley, Roger, Mark, Tom and Tom - it was an honour to tour and perform with you - you're all complete gems.
I don't mind admitting that the closest I have come to this war
in the past was sitting in my living room watching CNN - I just didnt
get the reality of it. I am so grateful to all the Canadian soldiers we
had an opportunity to talk to - they opened my eyes. They made us feel
welcome, they shared their stories, and trusted us with their truth ... I
have nothing but deep admiration for everyone we met.
The
experiences they spoke of, although difficult to talk about, will stay
with me for a very long time. I will tell you that I quietly went
through my own roller coaster of emotions during our stay ... everything
from gratitude for the experience, fear for my safety, to guilt for not
appreciating nearly enough, my life at home. And then I would be
humbled to think to myself that I had only been there less than 2 weeks -
and imagine what these soldiers must feel like after the things they
have seen and lived through, and they can't go home for another 9
months.
One of the highlights of our time on the Kandahar base
was our extensive tour of the air field. I felt like the size of an ant
beside the massive planes and choppers ... its amazing that these
aircraft can actually leave the ground let alone fly.
 We also had
the chance to visit an afghan school for young boys on the base. We did
crafts, sang songs, and even played hockey! (only on the Canadian base,
eh?) Although it was Ramadan while we were there, an exception was made
and we were able to hand out doughnuts and juice - a big hit!
Unfortunately, there were no girls at the school. They are not aloud to
receive an education. (In some areas, women are not allowed to seek
medical care without the approval of a male)
Arriving home was
emotional for me the second I walked through my front door at 4:45am. I
was overwhelmed and elated to be out of the dangers of a war zone and
re-united with my family. My house felt like a castle, my bed felt like
sleeping on a cloud, and my world felt wide open and free. That morning I
was drinking coffee and looking at my kids ... especially my 2 girls.
It's astounding to me, the life that they have been born into simply
because we live in Canada, compared to the life that a girl in
Afghanistan is born into.
I am eternally grateful for the
experience in Afghanistan, and at the same time I'm glad to be home.
Thank you again to the soldiers, and for the imprint of your life on
mine.
I love our country!
~~~
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