I had a bit of a reality check Saturday afternoon when I was minding my own business and came across a post on Facebook with a link to a MSNBC online story. I began to watch the story and already saw that it was called "The Tip of the Spear" - talking about our troops in Afghanistan. Then I realize the commander of the troop (I'm sure that isn't the proper classification of any of this - shows my complete ignorance to anything military) was someone who I went to middle and high school with - someone who is just 2 years older than me and has the lives of so many in his hands.
I sit here and complain about my little piddly problems like I need to lose a few lbs, or that I didn't run as fast as I wanted to at a few races, and then I see this. Wow. Jimmy and the rest of our troops are halfway around the world getting shot at on a daily basis, literally risking their lives almost every minute of the day, so we can sit here and worry about our very insignificant problems. Jimmy has a wife and two young girls back at home. I cannot imagine what they and the rest of his family are going through right now. The last time I really remember seeing him was over 5 years ago, when he had just gotten engaged. He was already in the army then, and I'm not sure what all he had already been through, but to know what he has gone through since then is just absolutely insane. I've run 8 marathons since then; he is on his 5th or 6th tour of duty overseas since then. Suddenly my 8 marathons don't seem nearly as impressive, and they shouldn't. What I have done is purely selfish while what he has done is purely selfless.
Jimmy has lived more in his 29 short years, and gone through more in that time than 99% of Americans ever will. For that, I thank him. I thank him and every other person who has served our country in any capacity. I also thank their families for lending or giving their loved ones for our freedom. It really is something we take for granted, especially someone like me who went to private school my whole life and barely knows anyone my age who has served or is serving now. I have been oblivious for most of my life as to what goes on outside my bubble. I have led a very sheltered, privileged life, and for that I am eternally grateful, but I also need to step outside just a little more often for a reality check and perspective on what the real world is all about.
Jimmy, you and all of your fellow troops will forever be in my prayers. Thank you.
See the online stories here and here.
I sit here and complain about my little piddly problems like I need to lose a few lbs, or that I didn't run as fast as I wanted to at a few races, and then I see this. Wow. Jimmy and the rest of our troops are halfway around the world getting shot at on a daily basis, literally risking their lives almost every minute of the day, so we can sit here and worry about our very insignificant problems. Jimmy has a wife and two young girls back at home. I cannot imagine what they and the rest of his family are going through right now. The last time I really remember seeing him was over 5 years ago, when he had just gotten engaged. He was already in the army then, and I'm not sure what all he had already been through, but to know what he has gone through since then is just absolutely insane. I've run 8 marathons since then; he is on his 5th or 6th tour of duty overseas since then. Suddenly my 8 marathons don't seem nearly as impressive, and they shouldn't. What I have done is purely selfish while what he has done is purely selfless.
Jimmy has lived more in his 29 short years, and gone through more in that time than 99% of Americans ever will. For that, I thank him. I thank him and every other person who has served our country in any capacity. I also thank their families for lending or giving their loved ones for our freedom. It really is something we take for granted, especially someone like me who went to private school my whole life and barely knows anyone my age who has served or is serving now. I have been oblivious for most of my life as to what goes on outside my bubble. I have led a very sheltered, privileged life, and for that I am eternally grateful, but I also need to step outside just a little more often for a reality check and perspective on what the real world is all about.
Jimmy, you and all of your fellow troops will forever be in my prayers. Thank you.
See the online stories here and here.
Comments