It’s 3:15 in the morning and I can’t sleep. Maybe I should stop drinking this Red Bull, but then making good decisions has never been something I do. Sleep is for the dead I say, and the extremely hung over which I am not today. First time for everything.
I worked late on Friday and have had this person on my mind ever since. Guess I’ll write about it and share this incredible story with the three people that read this. I met a girl a while back thru my job that has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has a tough road ahead. When you first meet her it is heartbreaking as she can’t speak, can’t move, and can’t much of anything.
She is young, beautiful, and is still an active duty United States soldier. She was hurt serving this country and is paying a price for your freedom that you would have never known about unless I typed these words today. Meeting her filled me with raw emotion, overwhelmed me with this powerful image, and to me she is an American hero.
The pictures on the wall tell a story of a gorgeous redhead that is full of life and always smiling. Her young daughter with the trademark red hair running around outside with a pack of 4 other kids and 3 dogs. Quite a sight to see. She is surrounded by one of the greatest families I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and that is saying something. I can’t stress enough how wonderful they all are, which is what it takes to work thru something so hard.
I’ve stopped by and met with the family multiple times now over the last 5 months and it is one of the best parts of my new job. I work in sales and sell durable medical equipment that helps people like this young soldier. I know how life changing it can be to find and use the right equipment when faced with challenges in life. Her mother worked tirelessly with the VA to get the government to pay for certain items that will make a difference in her life. There should be no red tape in a case like this, but that blog we will save for another day. I can’t stress enough how impressive this family is. Never give up should be their last name.
So while you are complaining about the line being to long at Starbucks, the traffic on the way to the office, or what a certain politician said about something remember that the struggle is very real for some. Everyday they wake up to the same hard shit, put on a smile, and do what needs to be done because that is what being American is about. At least in my humble opinion.
So on Friday evening I was there with the family, a nurse, and this young lady helping them pick out a new shower chair that will makes things easier. This is when I witnessed something astonishing. This young ladies mother told me I had to watch her give a kiss. I thought to myself how can she give a kiss?? I sat there watching with my doubts clearly hidden inside of me, and that is when it happened.
Mom leaned over and this United States soldier with an incredible amount of effort slowly gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. Something you’ve done a thousand times and most likely don’t give it a second thought. Amazed, blown away, remarkable or any other adjectives I can think of simply don’t do enough to describe this moment in my life. Her head didn’t move, her arms didn’t come up, but her lips unmistakably came together and kissed her mother. It was the most beautiful kiss I have ever witnessed and I can’t imagine anything ever topping it. I even had these strange puddles form in my eyes that I’ve never experienced before.
I never thought I could be so moved by a simple kiss on the cheek, but it is an image I knew instantly that I would never forget and now I wanted to share it with you. Life is hard and for some it is extremely hard, but just remember somewhere out there somebody has it tougher and they are not quitting, bitching, or crying all day about why me. Your problems are yours, own them, and then solve them. If you’re a good person you will have plenty of people around that will gladly help you. If you’re not a good person, you’ve just identified your first problem to solve.
So thank a soldier, an airman, a Marine, a sailor and hell thank everyone around you for being alive today. It will make them feel good and you’ll be on your way to becoming a good person.
Godspeed to this young soldier and please keep her and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
FknBucky
FknBucky 