On December 24th, 2008 I was almost 21 and drinking wine at my Grandma’s house with my family. We were having a good time. I don’t really talk to that side of the family anymore though. I got a phone call from my best friend, Kyle. I joking let my uncle answer. Kyle asked to talk to me. He sounded angry.

The next few words he said were like a a fucking nuclear bomb that seared my fucking brain for life. He said, “NineMileTower, Steve died (in Iraq). A bridge gave out, his hummer flipped, and he drowned.”

That was in 2008. I’m 37 now. I have two beautiful girls and an amazing wife. I think of Steve all the time. I ask myself, “Why do I deserve these amazing kids, wife and life, and he had to die?”

I fucking hate Christmas. I hate the stupid music. I hate fake bullshit decorations. I hate that I’m supposed to pretend that every Christmas it doesn’t fucking kill me that he isn’t here. I’m here enjoying my kids and their holiday and he’s dead.

I fucking hate Christmas.

  • TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyzEnglish
    1317·
    10 hours ago

    Roughly 20 civilians were killed for every American soldier. Make peace with the fact that your buddy was a bad guy.

    • skye@lemmy.worldEnglish
      81·
      8 hours ago

      Jesus Christ have some fucking empathy. It’s not like his buddy just went and shot ~20 civilians. Actual psychopathic reply.

    • imblue@feddit.orgEnglish
      82·
      8 hours ago

      Oh please, show some empathy. Here’s a guy mourning the death oft a loved one and this is the first thing you can think off ? Talking about world politics ?

      We all know Iraq was a fucked up war ! We all know Bush junior blatantly violated international law ! We all know american soldiers committed unspeakable crimes against iraqi civillains !

      But don’t say that to somebody who just opens up about their grief. That’s just being an asshole, even if you’re supposedly correct. Show some decency.

      You can be an empathetic and understanding human being without compromising on your political ideals.

      Pissing off your fellow citizen, leads nowhere but to further resentment.

      • TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyzEnglish
        23·
        7 hours ago

        I won’t, I won’t. I won’t stand for it. This post is ridiculous.

        When Americans do it it’s “politics”.

        When they do it it’s “terrorism”.