Little did I know what was in store for me that day. Something that would totally change my attitude. Totally change my life. It was the experience of a lifetime. One I thank God for. A true blessing, in disguise. You see I had been complaining just that morning of being sick. Just a cold, but the way I was carrying on you'd of thought I had a case of double pneumonia! Whine, and cry. That was me. Later on in the morning I took a long look at myself and I was actually ashamed of how self centered and selfish I had been, thinking only of myself and how I, me, numero uno felt.
I had no idea what I was in for when I walked into that reception room. She was sitting at a table facing me. Her husband had his back to me standing at the counter where we keep coffee for the customers. So, I walked over to the table first and introduced myself to the wife. She smiled and said hello. Her husband turned around took a step or so in my direction and when I looked him in the face it was everything I could do to not let my jaw drop open or stare! I said a quick hello and then invited them to follow me to my office. He moved quietly around the table and pulled out his wife's chair and what? I couldn't believe my eyes! She had crutches! She could barely stand. And when I invited them to follow me into my office I couldn't help but notice that she walked kind of sideways. She, with the help of her husband, negotiated her way to the office fine. Both of them smiling, like there was no tomorrow!
As this couple smiled at me from the other side of my desk it was all I could do to keep my mind on business. My mind was racing...what happened to them!? It was all I could do to keep from staring at him. Here this young man sat, no arm, the other hand mangled and without a thumb. To look into his face was mind boggling. Most of his nose was missing, ears missing, mouth somewhat disfigured, huge scars all over his face and body, scars everywhere and skin grafts. I couldn't see any hair on his head. Did he have any? I couldn't tell. He wore a cap, that was never removed. Was it a fire? No, I don't think so, I know a man disfigured from fire, the scars were different, somehow. And her...I looked for scars, there were none. Her beautiful face, perfect.
For the millionth umpteen time being a person that is able to focus and stay even was an advantage for this situation. I kept on track, on target and took care of business. Part of that business is getting to know my people, personally, build a relationship. (Often times my building a relationship with people goes far beyond business and folks become life long personal friends. I hope that is the case with this couple.) I spent five hours with this couple. I got to know them well.
I soon discovered they were a smiling sweet couple with a great sense of humor from the deep south. They had four children, all one year apart! (I want to meet those kids!) I discovered they had very important jobs. Protecting old ish here, and you and everybody else here in these great United States of America. Protecting the helpless, keeping freedom ...and no freedom ain't free. These two people were proof of that, they paid the cost.
As their story unfolded it turns out they were both in the hospital daily for treatment---still yet! He for the past couple of years, ever since his Humvee blew up under enemy fire in Iraq. He is infantry. She is an MP. She had just undergone surgery for injuries from overseas and he is going back into surgery next month...again...for the umpteenth time! And these people were smiling! These people were joking! These people are absolutely beautiful, scars and all! To know they have worked hard, endured pain and hell, have been totally selfless, loved their children and provided a good home for them in the face of all they do and have done each day... PRICELESS. They are absolutely, positively, beautiful people. HERO'S. Yes, true American hero's. I hope you have the blessing and privilege that I had this past week end and get to shake hands with a hero, look into their eyes and say a genuine THANK YOU, God Bless you. And you know, saying thank you is nothing. But it meant a lot to them, I could tell. It left the young man with misty eyes and she with a huge warm smile and dancing eyes! I look forward to the next time we meet!
Oh, I wasn't sick anymore that day...When things got put into the perspective...I wasn't sick at all. Whine, cry? After that, I had nothing to whine and cry about.
Janeta
In two short weeks the fat old man in a red suit will be sliding down my chimney. Maybe. If I don't get on the ball soon and start Christmas shopping there may be nothing 'neath our tree! Our ribbons might be as empty as the cute puppy in this picture.
