Sharon Featherston:  

The picture is of me in body armor. I am currently in Iraq working for the State Dept. I am here on a year assignment with the Provincial Reconstruction Team. We are helping the Iraqi people establish their new government and rebuild the country. Hello All It's a little after 7 Sunday morning. The dust storms have subsided- temporarily, and the morning is pleasant. It will only be 111 degrees today and the sand storms promise to be back. The distinction of the days of the week mean very little here. We work every day and go outside "the wire" in armored trucks hoping to make a difference in a place where time virtually began. You would think that the cradle of civilization, just by mere virtue of time and knowledge would have all this conflict stuff figured out.You would think that such a religious culture would be more reflective and be more humane in their practices. I'm afraid that if we have affected any semblance of change it won't be hinted at until my grand children's children are very old. I'm reminded of the process of growing up; as a child we know our needs are taken care of by someone else. As we grow we fall and fly, we succeed and then we fail and when its time, hopefully, we get a gentle nudge to experience life on our own.Unless of course it is to our advantage to outstay our time and then measures of tough love must be taken. There are days when someone asks me "What brings you to Iraq", I have to remind myself that at the end of the day, this is a job and not an avocation. These are endearing people looking for hope and peace and Independence. The responsibility of that Independence ...Expand for more