The challenge was to let your stream of consciousness reveal the real story...
Date: Winter 1998
Time: 1am-5am
Location: Tekapo Military Training Area
Situation: Delta Company Medic on Battalion Exercise. 4hr night move by foot to an FUP (form up postion) prior to company attack at first light. Undulating, tussock covered terrain. Weather cold but fine, with moon obscured by cloud cover. Visibility limited to less than 2 metres. These were the thoughts in my head.....
{Ugh, damn rabbit holes. I can't even see past the person in front of me, it's so dark. That must be the twentieth time I've twisted my ankle. I hate this. When are we going to stop? Who is the idiot that decided we would traverse this terrain at night? I wish I could stop. We’ve been walking for hours. I really don't think I can go much further. Dangit my ankles are killing me! Don't cry. Ah who cares, its too dark for anyone to see me anyway. Man my pack weighs a ton. I can't wait till our next rest stop. I wonder how the boys are doing? I'll go check at the next stop. Be strong Jacinda. You can do this. Can we stop NOW? Ouch!! I'm gonna refuse to do another night march. Yeah right, like I have a choice. I think I've had enough of this Battalion field stuff. Hmm....am I getting a blister now? Great. Dangit, I hate this! Aargh!
Heavenly Father, I need your help. I'm struggling here. I want to give up, but I can't. The Company needs me, and I need to be here to look after them. Please help me bear the weight of my pack and the pains in my body, that I may reach our objective safely. Please strengthen my body and my spirit, and help me focus on something other than myself. I love being a Company Medic. I feel these boys are my family and I don't want to let them down. I don't want to show weakness and fail. Please help me Heavenly Father. I can't do this without you. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Surely we're nearly there. I wonder what time it is? Feels like we've been walking forever. Oh good, they're stopping. Pack off. Whew - 30kgs lighter - I'm so not looking forward to putting that on again. Right 5 minute rest stop. No rest for the wicked. Grab my med kit. I better go check the guys, see if they need anything. Deep breath. Smile girl. Don't show any weakness. This is the part you love, remember?}
Bewitching by Kristin Cronin-Barrow
DJB Nicole font by Darcy Baldwin
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