Struggling violently to control graphic thoughts of something terrible happening to Bubble, I stroked his silky fur and decided there and then to store old memories of my time with him, and to record new ones for as long as I could. This is no time for tears, I cautioned myself. Besides, my wounds were already too deep to bleed. I often feel that, in the midst of war, there are victims other than soldiers, and perhaps they suffer more or less in the long run. I certainly know how much my own family suffered not knowing what was happening to me, or even if I was alive or dead.
Civilians are less prepared for the horrors of war.
Anarchy is alien to the natural state of humanity, and to suddenly have your world, as you know it, turned upside down, rocks your faith in the status quo to the very depths of your being. It kind of makes you want to live your life in a constant state of non-status quo, if that makes any sense. I guess it's the old principal of the higher you climb, the harder you fall. So, if you only climb half way up, the landing isn't so painful. And while your faith in the status quo may be shaken, your raw courage and spirit is undeniable and unconquerable.