Kids made my Valentine's Day in Iraq

from the February 14, 2008 edition

Page 2 of 2

Page 1 | 2

Each letter was filled with sincerity and childlike individuality that made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

One letter that included a photo of a little girl with a toothless smile read:

"Dear Soldier,

Thank you for serving in our country. I ripped my pants on the slide today. It wasn't just a little rip, but a very big one, so that everyone could see my purple underwear. I was a little embarrassed that everyone could see my underwear, but I was sure glad I had it! Please stay safe in Iraq. Happy Valentine's Day.

Love, Natalie"

I think Natalie will host a successful TV talk show one day!

On the other hand, I hope that Stephanie, now in the fourth grade, will go into politics. Her letter said:

"Dear Soldier,

Thank you for risking your life for freedom. I am so grateful to have a hero like you. Please come home safely. We are praying for you.

Love, Stephanie."

Kids wrote very moving things: "I want to be you someday." "You are my hero." "Please come home safe." "I love you."

One of the letters from a teacher in Texas said, "These kids were so excited when I told them about the project because most of them have family members that are there or have been over there recently. These letters are from the heart."

Oh, they are.

Reading those cards from children liberated me from a burdening sense of cynicism and discouragement.

Although I wasn't a soldier, or a hero, I felt that the sweet sincerity and innocence of penciled letters pasted onto Crayola-crusted construction paper held me to a higher standard of integrity and diligence than any manager or auditor could ever enforce.

I suspect that the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction would become obsolete if everyone out here could see the smiling face of a Natalie or a Stephanie looking up at them saying, "Thank you for the good work that you're doing. I want to be you."

It forces one to ask, Am I worthy of this child's unswerving praise?

Yes, that was a Valentine's Day to remember. I never knew that a holiday so inherently commercial could feel profound.

I had attempted to create a little slice of home that brought a fun twist to our topsy-turvy lifestyle in Iraq. But those children had conveyed a deep love with their simple greetings. They sent their creativity and sincerity to an unknown person, confident that it would reach someone doing good work, whom they could admire.

They didn't know it, but their little Valentine's Day cards had raised the bar for all of us.

1 | Page 2