Rocks and Dirt - Updated

Marcia the mother of Arron Kincaid for whom she is building a rock garden with a rock from every state has acceived her goal of obtianing all 50 rocks. Thank you all who sent one or more.

Robert Stokely, friend and contributor to this blog provides us with some insight into what she must be going through, and how important our assistance has been:

I look at Marcia and see what I felt at that stage of the journey at the six month mark - shock, realization, searching for answers when the questions have been begged - all to come down to the fact that your boy is dead and no matter what the cause, how much the support, or honor paid, you don't have him to share life with anymore. It is a most empty feeling, but things like a scholarship program, or rock garden can give you a sense of purpose and will to go on - a new cause that is associated with the son you loved so much and have lost.

I can tell you and the readers this - this project and their help has lifted her so much from the point in time six weeks ago when I met her. It will continue to lift her each time she goes out into her back yard and sees all those rocks from so many people, nearly all strangers until six weeks ago.

She will be continually reminded just how loved she is and how others share her loss and pain, that she is not alone, and that her son's life, and death counted for much with so many. That does not replace what she has lost, but it is a soothing pillow for the hurt she has suffered.

Isn't it amazing how something as simple as a rock and some dirt can provide us with a sense of purpose and help us ground our efforts with others who, were as Robert states, complete stangers until 6 weeks ago. This of course is the mystery of a living a life according to the purpose God has destined for you. Just as Michael Stokely's life has brought us together so has Arron Kincaid's. You can't hide from your purpose, Mike and Arron didn't for they knew just as Jonah did - God always finds you.

Nothing we do can ever replace the loss she has suffered for this country and our freedom as well as the freedom being extended to the Iraqi people, but we can help preserve the memories of such fine young men who did not hide from their purpose. If that means we find a rock and shoulder the load a little then so be it for we can not hide from our purpose either and each day we must resolve to continue the fight and live according to our purpose.

Remember, you can't hide from your purpose you can only delay your acceptance of it, stop delaying and accept it and join us on the front lines.