In the midst of Eddie’s hospital drama, my niece sent me this photo:
Lt. Mark Greenlief, the executive officer for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, takes a break from his duties in Marjah, Afghanistan, on Saturday, March 20, 2010, to play a mandolin sent to him by his in-laws in the United States. From http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/kabul/2010/03/scenes-from-marjah-madness.html#ixzz0jCO4p262
It totally made my day, because I am the in-law who sent it! Well, I sent it, and my dad donated it.
My dad met Mark at Thanksgiving, and they bonded over a shared love of music. So when Eddie and I started asking around about a ukulele, maybe, to send Mark in Afghanistan, my dad offered the mandolin that had been in my family forever. He played it, my mom played it, I played it, etc. A great idea!
I was worried about sending an antique instrument into combat, but I must have packed it up well enough for it to make it in one piece. YAY!
So that’s why I was so thrilled to see that photo. It made everything better this week.
Observe and report 
That’s awesome! I was looking for the “like” option and realized how lazy FB has allowed me to become. 🙂
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That is so great! Music soothes the soul, and should be shared with those you love. Nice photo too!
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Great idea, great photo, great subject. Semper Fi.
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