no such thing as heroes?

people, this hurts.

it's 11/11/11 which just seems fun to look at, write, and actually remember the date, for the 3rd or 4th day this calendar year.  this date won't happen again for a hundred years. most people remember the reason we're supposed to remember, and it means a bit more to those of us who are related to members of the military.  it hits home- literally.

i don't have any relatives in the military.  nothing like the real thing, but i just finished watching  Flags of Our Fathers and that hit home for me.  the script includes the line saying "they fought for their country, but they died for their friends."  as well as how they weren't really heroes, but they were simply people doing what they believed in, for what was right. 

the thought that ties it all together is the very last line of the (second to) last scene in Saving Private Ryan, another great war movie.  i'm not going to quote it.  you need to suffer through the movie to appreciate it.

but those soldiers, those in reserves, those training to go- all those sacrifices are for us.  what are we doing with the security, the rights, the freedoms, the peace of mind that they are helping to provide? 

on the same, but more personal level…

i can only point to one individual who died for me personally.  i'm pretty sure He's a real hero.  i've been thinking alot- what am i doing with this security, hope, freedom, LIFE that i now have? there's no way, on or off earth, that i could earn it.  can't repay it.  can't just redo it for myself and clear the tab- there IS no tab.  it's gone west, and i've gone east.

but i've got LIFE- here now, and later forever.  i want to use it.   we do alot for our veterans, which is good.  for a couple days a year, even. 

but what if we tried to live EVERY day knowing that life is about something bigger than great shopping deals, ourselves, great movie quotes that we easily forget, and things we think we've earned but have been given to us SO THAT we can do some good with them? 

what did you do today? i went to wal-mart and randomly met a previous patient of mine who was up and walking around, making some lifestyle changes so that he STAYS upright.  i learned a new recipe or two and picked up an old hobby to hopefully share with someone else soon.  i shared a smile with a tired nurse coming on duty and shared a laugh with another tired nurse coming OFF duty.  today was a good day for me.

a whole lot of people gave a whole lot to blow the door of opportunity wide open in front of you.  that's an awesome thought.  vets rock, and although the whole idea of heroism is created by "normal" people and frequently denied by those hailed as such, i'm all about giving credit where it's due. i'm very thankful for them, and for everybody else who works tirelessly to ensure that my life is not in jeopardy. we are blessed beyond what we know.

be thankful.

go live :)