~ by Father Ron Camarda

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,

beyond all remedy; who can understand it?

I, the Lord, alone probe the mind

and test the heart

To reward everyone according to his ways,

according to the merit of his deeds.

(Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Beloved!

This is the first week of October. It is my favorite time of the year. The weather shifts to her “harvest explosion” and the oppression of the summer heat starts losing the battle.

I just returned from a weekend up in Pittsburg for the annual Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) where my book won the silver medal last year. It was great to get together with some really fun people. My only role this year was to pray the opening and closing prayer of the banquet. I also listened a lot. The children’s books were the most amazing.

The mother of the Gold Award for children’s books was a Gold Star Mother. Their son, Brad Beard, was killed in Iraq in October of 2004. Although I wasn’t with Brad when he died, it was an honor to be in the company of these most remarkable parents, Betsy and Scott. Lots of tears were shed…tears of sadness and mostly tears of hope.

Klinger, A story of Honor and Hope is the endearing story of a young horse dreaming of fame as a racehorse. But his life is disrupted and he must leave his parents to start a new life. Faced with difficulty and disappointment, Klinger’s dream of significance seems unattainable. He then discovers that fame is not necessary, as he finds fulfillment in honoring fallen heroes and bringing comfort to their families.

(Check out T*A*P*S at www.taps.org Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, for more information or to order the book. The book was written in honor of All of America’s beloved fallen heroes.)

The Silver Award for children’s books went to Our Daddy is INVINCIBLE!, written by Shannon Maxwell and illustrated by Liza Biggers. “Daddy’s” daughter, Alexis Maxwell, writes the forward. Daddy was injured in 2004 in 2004. Ethan, the brother of Eliza the illustrator, was shot in Iraq and died of his wombs with her by his side. In this book Alexis and Eric find out that their Daddy was badly hurt, something they thought impossible. They are scared for him and wonder how his injuries will change their lives. They learn that his love for them continues to be strong and that life goes on. There are people to help in their daddy’s recovery, new adventures to be found, and new ways to find enjoyment together as a family. Our Daddy Is INVINCIBLE! Is based on the true story of a Wounded Warrior and American hero and his family. For more background information please visit www.ourdaddyisinvincible.com.

O! and the butterflies on every page strengthens the incredible hope for those attempting to heal from the wounds of war!

The Bronze Award went to Charles Boyle who was my roommate. He wrote, The Sandpiper’s Game: A story of Kids and “Personal Best”. Sandy, an injured bird, is saved from drowning by young twins, Kate and Kurt, who live at the seashore. As Sandy heals under their care, he learns that the twins are runners on their school’s cross-country team, and that they’re unhappy with their speed on hills. Grateful for his rescue, Sandy invents a game that teaches the twins how to run faster. Better yet, he opens their minds to his vision of how to improve at whatever you do.

Charles is 88 years old and an incredible man. He served as Educational Programs Manager for Earth Sciences as NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. He also wrote a book called Taily Whaley – a picture book on bullying and friendship which I found delightful and insightful.

Beloved, I will conclude with a poem I wrote in high school that I still have memorized. Charlie delighted in it when I shared it with him. He was a Sr. Olympics National gold medalist and has set two American records in USA Track & Field Masters’ events.

The wave crashes in upon the sea,

disturbing the shells

and creating foam like cream,

while the sandpipers make tracks.

Have a wonderful week, Beloved!

Let the Heavens rejoice and Earth be glad in October!

Sing for love and joy and peace!

Father Ron Moses +

www.tearinthedesert.com

Father Ron Camarda is a retired Naval Chaplain and author of “Tear in the Desert,” a powerful book containing his memoirs of life and death at the Battle for Fallujah. Father Ron appears on EWTN and recently won the Silver Medal from the Military Writers Society of America.