Her eyes looked tired but kind. She walked with a limp and leaned awkwardly over to speak to the person checking bags. She was in uniform. I looked at her with empathy and in awe that one so young and innocent could have lived through and seen the atrocities of war. I watched her as she walked toward me and when she was beside me, our eyes met. She gave a slight smile and I returned one. I hesitated a second, not wanting to bother her, but then I had to say, "Thank you for serving." She smiled slightly as she had done before and gave a little nod. Then she limped on.
....and my eyes filled with tears at the encounter.
