If I Poured All The

My Breathing Slowed. I Shaded Her Thick Chestnut Hair Resting In A Smooth Curve Against Her Face, A Large Bruise Blazing Across Her Cheek. I Paused, Looking Over My Shoulder To Make Certain I Was Alone. I Drew Her Eye Makeup, Smudged By Tears. In Her Watery Eyes I Drew The Reflection Of The Commander, Standing In Front Of Her, His Fist Clenched. I Continued To Sketch, Exhaled, And Shook Out My Hands.

Some Wars Are About Bombing. For The People Of The Baltics, This War Was About Believing. In 1991, After 50 Years Of Brutal Occupation, The Three Baltic Countries Regained Their Independence, Peacefully And With Dignity. They Chose Hope Over Hate And Showed The World That Even Through The Darkest Night, There Is Light. Please Research It. Tell Someone. These Three Tiny Nations Have Taught Us That Love Is The Most Powerful Army. Whether Love Of Friend, Love Of Country, Love Of God, Or Even Love Of Enemy - Love Reveals To Us The Truly Miraculous Nature Of The Human Spirit.

Andrius Turned. His Eyes Found Mine. I'll See You He Said. My Face Didn't Wrinkle. I Didn't Utter A Sound. But For The First Time In Months I Cried. Tears Popped From Their Dry Sockets And Sailed Down My Cheeks In One Quick Stream. I Looked Away. The Nkvd Called The Bald Man's Name. Look At Me Wispered Andrius Moving Close. I'll See You He Said. Just Think About That. Just Think About Me Bringing You Your Drawings. Picture It Because I'll Be There.

He Threw His Burning Cigarette Onto Our Clean Living Room Floor And Ground It Into The Wood With His Boot. We Were About To Become Cigarettes.

I Looked Down At The Little Pink Face In The Bundle. A Newborn. The Child Had Been Alive Only Minutes But Was Already Considered A Criminal By The Soviets.