They're still packing their duffels, saluting an officer and climbing into transports that will deposit them on some barren stretch of sand thousands of miles away. And as they go, their families shed tears of pride and tears of pain, already missing them.

We watch and wait and listen as the stories of war come across our radios and televisions and stream across our computer screens late at night. We wonder what it's all about and why we're there and when it will all be over.

While we wonder, children are born to fathers serving their country in a hostile place on the other side of the world. Young mothers make arrangements for relatives to care for their children while they are doing their overseas tour. Other children -- who might remember that there were once two adults in their lives -- now learn to depend on a mother or father who are doing it all on their own.

They must wonder -- why the change? Surely they think about what or who is missing in their lives as they grow older. Or maybe they don't even think about it. "Kids are resilient," you say. "They'll bounce back and be as normal as can be."

I'm not so sure I agree. I've heard more than one soldier say of their child -- "He didn't even know me when I got off the plane" or "She wouldn't even hug my neck. She acted like I was a total stranger."

I know that war has taken soldiers away from their families throughout history. And I know that family members are charged with keeping the home fires burning until they return. It just seems to me that the children suffer most -- maybe more than we think. After all, missing someone is missing them -- no matter how old you are. We may not know what's going on inside their little minds, but they have to be aware of the void left when someone close to you is suddenly absent.

Where are you going Daddy?

What will I do?

When I need a shoulder to lean on -- when I turn two.

And that train you're riding Daddy -- where does it go?

Does it have a destination -- or do you really know?

Where are you going Daddy?

Where will you be?

When I need a hand to cling to -- when I turn three?

And that plane you're riding Daddy -- where does it lead?

Is the harvest ready now -- or are you the seed?

What about the people there -- do they love you, too?

And when it's time to come back home, will they miss you like I do?

You'd better be going Daddy.

I promise I won't cry.

We have to be big boys Daddy -- tell me -- what's that in your eye?

The Shepherd's Heart appears Thursday.