My Son - Our Sons

by Carol Isfeld

You are going away my son
For reasons only God can understand
We're told you're trying to keep the peace
With our hurting fellow man

I see my baby leaving soon
For a hopeless situation
That's my understanding
For this very troubled nation.

They have been warring for decades
Now they're killing each other
Where does all the hate begin
To make us want to kill a brother

Will make a friend with someone there
They are taking love from home
It will show them how we care

People when taken separately
Will be helped by each of you
Maybe something will rub off
From what you're trained to do

In order to stop the ache at night
I pray you're safe whe'er you trod
And place all of you in loving hands
To walk side by side with God.

I love you.  Mom
 

During Mark's third tour in 2 1/2 years (to Croatia) he was killed removing land mines.
Mark's parents Brian and Carol have set up a wonderful, informative web site
in Mark's memory http://isfeldbc.com

Mark took an interest in the children he encountered during his tours.  His Mother would knit little dolls that he would give out to the children.  His fellow workers called them "Izzy Dolls".  Carol still makes these dolls and they are distributed by Mark's fellow engineers.  You'll find pictures and patterns for the dolls on the above web site.  This following poem says it all:

Izzy Doll

By Carol Isfeld
 

She lay there in the rubble
Destruction filled the yard
Found there by a Sapper
Where God was keeping guard

A sadness overwhelmed him
He snapped a picture, with his heart
A little girl had lost her doll
Now he would do his part

He showed the picture to his mother
She knew what must be done
He must keep giving others
In memory of that one

He gave them to the children
That he met, from day to day
The smile he got from every one
Took all his pain away

His brother sappers watched him do it
Took his picture with each one
Then God took him, but not his message
The Dolls are far from done

His 'brothers;' now give them with gladness
They get the smiles that Mark would ear
It surely makes their day seem fuller
As another soldier gets a turn

My helpers they are also mothers
And those who want a smile
Mark's memory travels with each one
As his 'brothers' 'walk the mile'

To all of you who knew him
Mark's smile to you is in every doll
Peace be with you as you give them
Love has no borders, and no wall

God Bless You - Mom

Wirtten to the memory of Mark's birthday, August 14, 1962 by Carol Isfeld, for August 14, 1999