The Things They Carried

In this story, I kept anticipating a horrific ending, like most of these stories have been.   I enjoy the detail that goes into explaining the items a soldier carries.  It is truly a reflection of themselves and their lives.  Martha seems like a sweet girl, the pebble she sent was so sweet, something I would do.   I am sure having someone back at home, while you were in the war, is a vital thing.  I would think they need something to take their minds off the whatever trauma is happening, so they slip into a mini day-dream where that one person who keeps them going is right there with them.   I love the line " he was just a kid at war, in love "  I suppose that is the best way to go off to war, in love, with something to live for, and someone to return to.  I am not sure I understand the mini story of the thumb that Norman Bowker carries.  Why was Lavender's death his fault?
There is one thing in the world I believe is truly the worst feeling of all and that is to love and not be loved in return.  Poor Lieutenant Cross;  he has so much on his plate and worst of all he believes Martha doesn't love him.  I also like the part where is says " by large they carried these things inside, maintaining the masks of composure.  That is so very true,  with all of the things they deal with, they must stay composed; because they have jobs to do.  I can only imagine how their dreams were, when they dreamed of freedom birds.  This part paints a great picture, yet its so sad because it is just a dream.   When he burned her pictures and letters, it made me sad.  I am sure he will regret it, because you usually do after something like that.    It was said he has a "hard hating kind of love" I feel that way about my ex-boyfriend.  I find it easiest to remove someone from your life and mind if you completely ignore any existence of them; hopefully it will brain wash you, so you can move on.  You have to be strong and carry on even with a broken heart.  It sounds like easy stuff to forget someone, and to go on with your duties.  But everyday is a struggle, and I feel very much in-tune with Lieutenant Cross.