Afghanistan

My friend, who is practically family, came home Friday from being in Afghanistan. He joined the marines two and a half years ago and has been away for about 18months. He first went to Japan, and he was suppose to make a leave for home last May. But, the Marines asked him if he wanted to go to Afghanistan for about three or four months, and he accepted. The stories that he told about Afghanistan were unreal. So far beyond life changing. I never want to hear about some of the stories he told ever again, but to give a very small glimpse at it here is one story. My friend just arrived in Afghanistan and the first thing that happens to him is he sees a seven year old girl taking care of her twin three year old sisters. Their parents were killed about a month ago, and they were begging my friend for a pen and paper so they could learn to write and get an education. Seven years old. She is a mother figure at seven years old.