Friday, March 12, 2010

Overheard in the Local Post Office...

This morning I had to drive to the local post office, to send a book to China by special delivery.

As I stood in the queue, I overheard this poignant encounter between a woman in her early 50s and the post office clerk:

"I'd like to send this parcel through the BFPO." (British Forces Post Office)

"Where are you sending it?"

"Somewhere I don't want him to be."

"What's in the parcel?"

"A Top Gear magazine and a packet of sweets."

Every week I hear that a soldier has been killed in Afghanistan and to my shame, the news washes over me. But seeing a mother sending the parcel to a son she may never see again was heart-rending. A packet of sweets - still her boy.

A few minutes later, as I was driving back to the office, I saw the woman crossing the road. She looked broken.

4 comments:

The Poet Laura-eate said...

Well if he were risking his life for the sake of his country, I'm sure she would be more understanding, but for the sake of someone else's oil?
That would stick in anyone's throat.
And have you seen the price of petrol lately?

Murr Brewster said...

I would like to apologize on behalf of my country.

Steerforth said...

It is that cabal of politicians - Donald Rumsefeld, Dick Cheyney etc, who need to apologise. Bush was a convenient hate figure, but he was not the instigator of the New American Century project.

I particularly despise Tony Blair, who even now, continues to defend his actions.

As for Afghanistan, we are damned if we stay and damned if we leave.

Ms Baroque said...

Oh, dear. Dear dear dear.