Paperwork

There is always paperwork to do both before and after death.  I remember just a few months ago, Ben walking into my office and handing me a form.  It was one that we had filled out before.  It was the one that documents "What are my wishes if I should come home in a box" form.  For some reason, I was always the one assigned to completing that task.  I quickly proceeded to fill out the form and kidded him that I would take him home to NJ for a good Catholic burial with extra incense.  I them came to the question of whom would escort him home.  I looked at him and he said, "You already know."   I then proceeded to write the name of one bad ass, gun-slinging Marine that Ben had the greatest respect for.  After the notification knock on the door and days that followed, it gave me great comfort that such a good, hardcharging Marine was going to accompany my husband home.  On the day of Ben's return home, however, after seeing this Marine's face and looking into his eyes, my heart ached.  The anguish that I could see beneath his cool, collected exterior was so raw.  It pained me to my very core.  It reflected my own soul.  Afterwards, we spoke a few useless words and then he was gone.  I prayed for him that evening and every night since.  No words could ever convey my gratitude to this Marine.  My family is forever thankful to him for bringing Ben home but also for being such a bad ass Marine because that made all the difference to Ben and to his family.