Today, they are going to remove my blindfold. Whoever has been caring for me wants to make sure I have no permanent damage to my eyes. I am in bad shape. My ribs are sore and my lungs burn when I take a deep breath. My right leg is broken in four places. I fractured my left arm and my shoulder is dislocated. But I thank God that I am alive. A missive has been sent to the captain of my regimen. Soon I will return to base and then sent home. The people whom have been looking over me have been kind and gentle. Whoever they are, I can't seem to thank them enough.

"All right, my young friend," says Lupe, a Mexican doctor who moved out here to help the poorer people who cannot afford healthcare. "Let us see about your eyes. Do not open your eyes until I tell you to, okay?"

I nod, remaining silent as the anticipation rises in my chest. The only doubt in my mind about not being able to see again? Heather. I will never see Heather's face again if my eyes received permanent damage. God has been speaking to me about her a lot, more recently now since the explosion. I know everything that is going to happen once I return home. I am scared, not for me, but for my family and for Heather. God told me He would not be telling them what is going to happen, because they need to put more of their trust in Him. I do not understand what He means, but I know in my heart He knows what he is doing.

"Okay," Lupe says; I can feel her hands working on my head. "You have not opened your eyes in some weeks, so it will not be easy at first. Just remember not to panic if you cannot see. You are still healing and stress will make the process longer."

I feel the cloth fall from my eyes and I take a slow, deep breath. I wince, but do my best to ignore the pain in my lungs and chest. Lupe tells me to open my eyes and I do slowly. I open my eyes a tiny bit at first, closing them and repeating. I blink several times at the light fills my vision and I slowly make out the medical room around me. The woman in front of me smiles when I smile at her.

"Blessings to God," Lupe whispers, squeezing my hand. "Your family is going to be overjoyed to know you are safe. Especially your friend, Heather."

"Especially Heather," I nod as my eyes start to water.

I squeeze my eyes shut, thanking God for keeping my eyesight. I get to see Heather again.