If You Only Knew!

Fast forward time
To the days that are fine
Where laughter replaces the screams

Fiery trials
Challenges and pain
Diminish with the passing of time

You laid the gun down
With no hope in sight
Thinking of others  not your own plight

This one small act
The gift of time
Not giving up or committing that crime

To swallow the lie that there is no hope
Just a victim that cannot cope
Would rob us all of your treasure

You decided to stay
Just in case there might be
a different ending that hasn’t been seen
You’re right!

The second you looked
For the next open door
Circumstances start changing
No one can explain

Moment by moment
As time passes on
Perspective and wisdom arrive

This man with no hope
Full of demons and rage
Never knew what his future would hold

Yet step by step
he refused to give up
Help came in miraculous ways

By the time the picture was taken
Of the old wise veteran above
He had 37 years of his best friend’s love

Sons that he admired
And learned how to father
Their wives were the daughters he loved

Eight grandchildren strong
With one more on the way
She arrived six months before the day

The day that Dennis
Left this earth and entered eternity
He left a trail of love and friends
Changed lives and so very much more

So next time you’re reaching
For a pill or a gun pondering taking your life
Wait… take a breath time doesn’t stand still
Each morning wipes the slate clean

If you only knew
What could be your future
The joys that wait for you
You would reconsider it’s true

____________________

For 43 years, Dennis and Diana Nickell shared their lives, passion, and hearts. Dennis, a Vietnam Combat Veteran who dealt daily with the aftermath of his 14 months in-country, spent his later years reaching out to Veterans, their loved ones and tried to help share why you should never give up. Sept, 12th, 2021 Dennis joined his brothers in arms in heaven, who never had the chance to have the life he fought for daily, and his wife Diana still carries on the mission of educating, enlightening, and encouraging those who have paid such a heavy price for freedom. 

Dedicated to ALL, first responders, and heroes, Diana has found peace in the wealth of her family and her faith. The YouTube series Surviving Vietnam can be accessed freely at https://www.survivevietnam.com/

“Quiet Place” first appeared in Breaking Chains, written by Dennis Nickell.

All rights are reserved, for created content shared about their amazing journey, including original poetry by Diana. Feel free to contact Diana at dnickell1955@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.