Promises

This is my first and I only started writing it today so please give me tips and comments, be nice! Enjoy!

__________________________________________________________

The world is full of empty promises. Promises that are not fulfilled but stowed away in a small box of forgotten treasures and are never to be seen again. Only in the eye of the beholder, though, do these promises mean a thing. To me promises are a piece of you, a piece of you word but to others promises are as meaningless as a page without words, a sky without stars or a body with life. In fact, that is all a promise is, a body without life. Unless you choose to give it life, that is, and make a promise that you can and will keep.

My dad is a loyal man. He has been in the army since he was 18, fighting for his country, fight for the future, fighting for me. The army was his life, until I came along. I'd like to tell you that he gave up his dreams to care for me and my mother but that is not how my story goes. Instead I was shipped to Australia to be safe. Don't get me wrong, I love my father and I am now old enough to understand why he did what he did. He wanted me to be safe. I wanted him to be safe by coming with me but instead he stayed to fight for my future. I love him for that because I know how hard it is to do what's best for those you love. My dad, as I said, is a loyal man, a man of his word. That is why I love him so much because I know that he will be back for me. In a two days I will be safe in his arms, just as he promised.

I was only four and I was lying in my bed. Mama came and tucked me in and told me that when I woke up I'd be a big five year old and we would have a grand party and I would get lots of presents.

"Really Mama?" I asked, "Could there really be a day so wonderful?"

"Yes, there can be and there will be. I promise." was her reply. Empty promise number one.

I woke up to a great explosion. I felt the house shudder and I was thrown out of my bed. Mama was at my side before I even knew what was going on. She grabbed my hand and led me out to the safe house. We gathered in the small room, just her and I. Pa was already headed to the army base. Mama held me as I shivered hearing more explosions. My eyes drifted shut and I began to fall asleep, "Everything will be okay, I promise" Empty promise number two.

The snow spat against my face and I turned to Pa, my tears turning to icicles.

"You know why I'm doing this don't you, Jasmine?" I nodded. He knelt down and looked into my eyes, "I love you and I don't want you to get hurt, that is why I am sending you to Australia. It is only for a little while, I'll pick you up as soon as it is safe but I don't know how long that will be. " He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. I picked up my suitcase and was ushered onto the train. I took my seat and looked out the window. Then there was another explosion and the hospital blew up. Mama! But it was too late, the train was already taking off. I looked back at Pa getting further and further away. "I'll come back for you Jasmine, I promise!" Empty promise number three.