the Crossroads

**Caution**: Not for the weak.

Dougherty

Dougherty, sad to say, I didn't know her first name, but she was a comrade of mine in boot camp.

She comes to my mind alot these days, and my heart is quite heavy tonight, because of her. Dougherty, was so much like me when we entered boot camp, scared, first time away from home, and just plain naive. That was us!

We both had problems adjusting to our second in command, as that lady was the meanest person I have ever encountered. Shortly after I received news from home, that my best friends mom had committed suicide, in front of my friend, I began weeping. Our second in command, walked up to me, and began mock wimpering like a puppy, mocking my tears, and I got so mad, I punched her. 300 pairs later of spit shined shoes, by me, for punching the second in command, things got worse.

Dougherty was treated worse than the rest, and her sensitive heart couldn't take it anymore.

We were all standing at Parade Rest, getting ready to march to the mess tent. One was missing, and we all had to do an About Face, and our second in command taunted us, while our commander went to look for Dougherty. She was up on the roof, and while we stood at attention Dougherty said in a loud voice, mock me now, to our second in command. The worst happened, our second in command, yelled Get Down here NOW!

Dougherty did. Head first dive off the roof. Dougherty died that day, and I think a part of me went with her. I think of her often these days, and pray that God took her home to be with Him.

Dougherty, if you can hear my heart, I mourn the loss of you, a sweet and gentle spirit, I pray God blesses me with meeting you again, at home, in heaven.  You are not forgotten.

In His love, Grasshopper