Scott A. Meehan's Blog, page 7
June 17, 2015
May 6, 2015
The Sky that Never Stops
The sight was jaw-dropping exhilaration, and at the same time, silent. Very silent. The coal-colored sky provided the perfect backdrop for an inspiring array of glittering lights that sparkled like diamonds across the horizon. Some stood out with more brilliance than others but all seemed to be speaking the same universal language. The view was endless, eternal, expanding as far as the eye could follow. The constellation of stars struck me as pure, intangible, and idyllic. I, felt simply like a small mortal speck in the mass cosmos.
That moment on a North Carolina hilltop in the brisk cool autumn evening held me in transcending admiration. I was wearing the uniform of a United States soldier, training to become an elite Special Forces soldier. Leaning against a tree, my rucksack next to me on one side, my M-16 automatic assault rifle on the other, I let the cold water from a green plastic canteen flow down my throat; tiny droplets escaping and streaking down my chin. Although it was in the low fifties with a brisk wind, I removed my patrol cap briefly to wipe away the sweat from my forehead.
Although this rare instant to ponder was before me, it was, however, not the first nor the only time that I witnessed the heavens broadly proclaiming God’s craftsmanship. Quite often, I have noticed when the skies spoke to me without a sound or word; that moment when a voice is never heard. Yet, I heard, felt, and understood its message, one that has gone, and continues to go throughout the earth. It is a time when the wind blows wherever it wants and just as we can hear it without being able to determine where it is going, so it is with the Spirit of God (John 3).
April 28, 2015
“Flame in Paradise.” Coming September 1, 2015!
The sequel to “Love in the House of War.” Twelve years after being rescued by her “prince charming,” Shararah and their three kids face a new danger as they wait for Ron’s return from Iraq where he comes face-to-face with ISIS.
April 27, 2015
April 4, 2015
Prince of Peace
The next morning, Ron awakened suddenly to the sound of a rushing wind and a girl���s voice muttering something incoherently. Looking over where Shararah slept, he spotted an empty space and a rolled up blanket. Her sleeping mat was gone. Startled, Ron jumped up and looked frantically for his weapon. He found it right where he left it. A fire flickered to his right side, emitting some warmth. Snatching up his rifle, he moved toward the cave entrance stealthily.��
Shararah, kneeling on her mat, bowed with her nose to the ground and then rose slowly while facing toward Mecca. Then she repeated the process�� while praying in Persian.
Ron set down his weapon and watched briefly. Her soft voice had a melodious tone to it. He watched her from a short distance, entranced with her motions, voice, and the golden rays of the sun beginning to peak from the east, casting a tint of orange on the cave wall on the left side. He did not want to be caught staring at her, so he picked up his gun quietly and went back to the ongoing fire.
After another five minutes, Shararah returned with a slight limp and sat down next to him.
���Can I have a look at your foot?��� Ron said.
���It is fine. I already changed the dressing.���
���You must have been up quite early.��� Ron gave her the look, indicating that he should not have been surprised. ���How did you sleep?���
���What do you mean? I lay down on the������
���I meant, did you sleep well?���
Shararah smiled, the pretty smile that Ron enjoyed becoming accustomed to watching. Ron even thought of ways that could possibly make her smile�� just so he could see her display that soft gentle warmth of happiness.
���Yes, I slept very well, thank you. And you? You did too,��� she added quickly.
���How do you know?���
���Because you were making a sound like a bear.���
They both laughed together at his expense.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
���It is good that you help Masood and my uncle Abdul fight the Taliban.���
���We would help anybody who fought the Taliban.���
���You Americans? My uncle said you would never come to help us.���
���Well, we are here. Yes, the mighty army from America!��� Ron said proudly as he flexed his two biceps like the Hulk.
Shara laughed happily, an emotion Ron enjoyed triggering.
���Ah, look, a righteous king is coming. And honest princes will rule under him.���
���What? Where did you hear that?��� Ron asked chuckling.
���Well, that���s what you act like. Those young American girls who lived in our village were right about you American guys,��� Shara commented.
���You had American girls here?���
���Before the Taliban ravaged all of the people for everything���paintings, photographs, rosebushes, life���they were here.���
Ron sought understanding. ���So what you said before, it sounds like a verse from the Bible, maybe Isaiah?���
���Yes, from the Bible. The girls were missionaries.���
Ron just watched her a moment, wondering if she had anything to add. She continued. ���The girls said the king is Jesus. We believe in such a person, but not as a king. He was only a prophet.���
Ron choked on his tea. ���Yes, Christians believe he is the son of God.���
���How could Isaiah tell about Jesus when he lived long before him?���
���Isaiah was a prophet,��� Ron answered curtly.
���But how could you be sure it is Jesus he spoke about?���
Ron gave it some thought before he answered deliberately. ���Because Isaiah described in detail��about his crucifixion in one of the chapters. Fifty-three, I think.���
���You seem to know the Bible,��� Shararah remarked.
���Some. I grew up a Christian.���
���What does fifty-three say?���
���Chapter fifty-three?” Ron pulled out his journal, flipped through some pages and began to cite.�����He suffered and carried our weaknesses and sorrows,������ he recited. ���That the people thought it was a punishment from God for his own sins, but instead, he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins, beaten so we could be whole, and flogged so we could be healed.���
���We? You mean Christians?���
���Everybody who believes. It is for the whole world.���
���If Jesus is God���s son, why would a father let his son be scourged like that?��� she asked inquisitively.
���To redeem us, by his love and grace.���
Shararah just stared at him, a little bewildered. ���You believe this?���
���Yes.���
���And honest princes will rule under him,���Shara recited.
���What?���
���The rest of the verse.���
���Oh, yeah,��� Ron answered. “How did…”
���I know? So, if you believe, this means you are one of those princes?���
Ron laughed wryly. ���Do I look like a prince to you?���
She surveyed him over from head to toe. ���Maybe. One can always hope so.���
Ron noticed a pleading look in her eyes.
February 12, 2015
November 10, 2014
Saturday in the Park
As planned, Ron grilled the burgers and with plenty of side items and a full cooler, the Hawkins enjoyed lunch in the park.
“Man, I had so much food, maybe we should rest first before playing football, Ron announced.”
“CHICKEN!” Seth yelled at his dad. “You just don’t want me, Asha, and mom to whip your…”
Before he could finish, Shararah yelled, “SETH!”
Asha and Caleb tried not to giggle.
“Yeah, where did you learn to talk like that, boy?” Ron said firmly.
Seth looked embarrassed.
“Come on, you guys go down there and kick off to us.” Ron said.
“Why are we kicking to you?” Shararah asked.
“Because you outnumber us.”
“Come on mom, we’ll still beat them.” Seth added.
Asha kicked the football, further than Ron thought she would and had to run back to retrieve it. “Give it to me, dad!”
Ron handed the ball off to Caleb and started blocking for him, easily taking out the first one going for the tackle, Seth, who went flying to the ground. Seth sat there a minute without saying anything, then got up, brushed himself off, and walked back towards where Shararah and Asha had successfully tackled Caleb.
Shararah started towards Seth but after adding some pep to his step, he declared, “I’m alright mom.”
“Kind of hard on him, weren’t you?” Shararah retorted while giving Ron a sneer.
“Hey, come on. He’s fine.”
Ron let up for the next several set of downs until Caleb said in exasperation, “Dad, you stopped trying and now we’re losing.”
“Yeah dad, play harder,” Seth added. “You didn’t hurt me.”
“It was part of the strategy,” Asha added. “Mom just wanted to make you feel guilty so you would let up.”
“Shhhh.” Shararah had her finger over her smiling lips.
“Oh, is that so? Come on, Caleb. We have a touchdown to score.”
“Now you’re talking!”
After Ron handed the ball off to Caleb, he ran straight for Shararah and rather than shove her aside with a block, he tackled her.
“HEYYY! THAT’S HOLDING!”
“Yeah dad,” Asha agreed as she jumped on his back.
“Piggy pile! Seth yelled as he ran to join the fray after tackling Caleb near the end zone.
Caleb dropped the ball and ran for the growing pile himself.
The football game slowly turned into a rugby match, causing Farsi to bark his disapproval. When the laughter subsided, the Hawkins family sat around in the grass, leaning back on their arms, lying on their sides, or whatever other relaxing position they chose at the moment, taking in the gorgeous day…the last full day together before Ron would leave for Iraq and face ISIS.
November 4, 2014
Falling for You
Standing by the fire, Ron glanced down at Shararah. Her eyes closed, she looked so peaceful, undisturbed by the ongoing situation or whatever life she lived in the past. Maybe she was dreaming of being whisked away by a prince and taken to paradise after all, he thought. Ron enjoyed sharing with her about growing up, religion, current events, and anything that came to mind. Shararah amazed him with her knowledge and grasp of a global perspective.
He watched her admiringly. There was something mysterious, thrilling and enchanting about Shararah. Her charm, intelligence, and resourcefulness captivated him. Ron thoroughly enjoyed being with her, even under the circumstances entrenched with life and death surrounding them. One thing for certain, he had a very difficult time thinking about anyone, or for that matter, anything else in the whole world except for this girl he’d only met the day before. Here they were, both struggling for their very lives, together, in some cavernous hideout.
Shararah stirred a bit and then suddenly opened her eyes in fright, sitting up quickly. Her sudden movement startled Ron causing him to tumble backwards over a rock, planting hard on his rear, kicking up a small cloud of dirt. Shararah giggled as Ron gathered himself together while brushing off the seat of his pants.
“That’s twice since you have met me. Maybe you are falling for me?”
“How did you know?” Ron said laughing.
