debutaunt.com

My Penpal is Dead

I think it's time for the big meds.

My Iraq penpal, Sgt. Stephen Maddies, was killed in Baghdad on July 31st. I just found out today when his sister replied to my email to check in on him.

I "met" Stephen when I was in the hospital. We made a pact to check in on each other to make sure we weren't dead. I sent him care packages and letters. He was my late night Yahoo buddy when I couldn't sleep. A sweet, funny flirt and a really caring person. I was going to meet him when he got back to the states ... which was supposed to be 18 days from the day he died. I just wanted to give him a huge hug.

I used to kid him that I came from the future and that we were still in love 50 years from now. I did love him like a good friend. We sure did have some fun conversations.

I'm just sick. I don't think I even know how to cope anymore.

Safe journey, sweetie.

There are now 5 people on my yahoo friend's list that are dead. I really just can't bring myself to remove their names.