Woohoo another puzzle solved! 

I've been helping keep a fellow teacher afloat.  Her dad had open heart surgery, that leaked.  Then bowel blockage, more surgery.  The bowel wound became infected, considering installing a zipper!  But I digress, met her dad only once and had a visceral reaction.  An incredible sense of brotherhood, loyalty and respect.  As his health challenges piled on I became more agitated and focused on sending him strength and comfort... but I couldn't make sense of it.  Where did this come from?  Well now I think I know.  I had a dream last night.  I am a fly on the wall watching an officer plan a military campaign.  He is a mid-level officer, captain or battalion leader; high enough to control some of the battle, but not so high that he doesn't know his men, their strengths, their aspirations, their families.  He knows this battle will be costly and it is weighing on his heart and soul.  Now I understand what I feel for him and why.  In this life I have been a soldier, served in the first and middle Gulf campaigns.  I was one of dad's (yes, I've taken to calling him dad) soldiers back then.  I can't identify the time period.   I have no idea what my position was, but I would follow him in the jaws of h..... 

Reminds me that if I were not in this place at this time, both our lives would be different.  I'm still homesick... yet I cannot deny the joy I feel at this discovery.  The universe will have its way...

be well