What’s Left Behind

TAKING OFF THE ARMOR
6 min readSep 27, 2021
Photo by Swapnil Sharma from Pexels

You did it. You actually did it. You took the plunge and executed flawlessly.

You surprised everyone. I was in complete shock when I heard the news. I thought I was being pranked at first.

Mitch, the guy you were helping with his college math course, was in disbelief. He couldn’t understand how someone so sweet, gentle, and kind could pull it off. What you may not have realized was he had a crush on you and was getting the courage to ask you out.

Lana, the barista at the coffee shop you regularly stopped at looked forward when you stopped in and chatted. You didn’t know she was battling depression, and your smile, kind words, and positive energy always brought her spirits up.

Sage, your friend you met online. The one that confided in you that she is in a domestically violent relationship. The one you were helping develop a safe exit strategy. She fell to her knees and wept when she heard the news. I do not think you understood how much of a lifeline you were to her. You were the first person she dared to divulge her hellish situation. She doesn’t know what made her confide in you, but she is so thankful for you. She feels guilty she brought you all her baggage and never knew you were struggling since you left the military.

The elderly couple, Joe and Iris, live in the apartment across the hallway from you. It…

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TAKING OFF THE ARMOR
TAKING OFF THE ARMOR

Written by TAKING OFF THE ARMOR

Hi! Donna Hoffmeyer is the name behind the writing. I am a Veteran, Mom, nurse, writer, educator, blogger, and podcaster. Here to share issues impacting milita