To me, the drive seemed like an eternity even though it was only 35 miles from Petoskey to Mackinaw City. When I was 10 years old, sitting in the back seat of my mother's car, I remember repeatedly asking the question most parents dread hearing: "Are we Is it almost there? Every time I asked her, she shook her head in bemused frustration and replied, "You'll know when we get there." At the time, I didn't really know what excited me the most: the ferry ride, the big horses, the historic fort, the inevitable delicious ice cream; It all looked fantastic and amazing and I couldn't be more excited to get to Mackinac Island. When we finally arrived at the port where we were going to board the ferry, my sister, my grandmother, my mother and I got out of the car into the windy May air. Immediately, my mother's eyes lit up, as did my grandmother's. My 5 year old sister and I stood there, slightly confused until we finally noticed a giant man approaching our family. He towered over everyone at an unimaginable height of 6'4". His dark brown hair was cut short, almost like a buzz cut but not quite. I didn't know who this man was. Next to him stood a much smaller Asian woman and she was beautiful I still didn't understand who they were Maybe a few moments later my mother finally whispered to me that he was my Uncle Eddy, her brother. lit up as I remembered the stories my mother told me about her childhood spent with her sometimes annoying older brother. I ran over and gave this strange man a big hug. was his wife. I was a little shy around the two of them because I had never really seen them in person before, as I remember my uncle introducing his wife, Jullianne, to my grandmother Elle. smiles really big seeing... middle of paper...again anytime. Living in war is not easy for anyone, and the expansive nature of today's war can make it even harder. Although many people in America do not feel affected by the ongoing war, it is likely that everyone does in one way or another. The group most affected are those whose relatives serve in the military. People who have family members in service face significant difficulties and challenges when facing danger from someone they care about. Being away means family members often don't have as deep emotional connections and, while technology can sometimes make this easier, it can also be more frustrating. I don't know where my uncle is right now, and millions of other people have the same problem. War is truly hell, for the people who fight and for the families left behind. It affects everyone.