One of the things it is easy to forget while on a project like this (or any other, for that matter) is that things are not exactly peaceful across the land. As we speak there are people facing extreme and dangerous conditions so that you and I don't have to. That is something honorable, noble and brave. That being said, it is so easy to just let things slip out of sight, out of mind.
I fell victim to that for a long time. If someone brought up the subject of the armed forces or our troops I would express my opinion - that the troops should be honored for their sacrifices and respected for what they do for the country. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that it wasn't something I thought about on a consistent basis though. Out of sight, out of mind, remember?
It wasn't until Nathan and I began dating, late last year, that I had a chance to have real, substantive conversations with someone who served his country. While I know other people who have been to war and consider them friends, Nathan was the first person who was candid with me about what he experienced. Though we've stopped dating, his honesty is something that I will always value and hold in confidence. It is his story to tell - not mine.
The biggest lesson I learned from talking to him is that the best thing for me to do is acknowledge that someone who hasn't been there simply won't understand what its like. That's not to say those of us who haven't been to war should stop trying - just the opposite - but understand your limitations as well. Without intending to minimize it, I think the best way to explain is to compare it to Bridge. You can learn the rules (hear the stories), but that doesn't mean you know how to play.
One of the things I wish to make a personal, lifelong commitment to is honoring the sacrifices of the men and women who serve this country. To that end, a friend of mine showed me a website called Let's Say Thanks. It is a small gesture, but an important one. The site has a set of postcard designs that you can choose from. Additionally, you have the option of posting a personal message or putting one of the pre-written messages on the cards. The pre-written messages are all wonderful sentiments, but I had been thinking about this long enough that I wanted to use my own words. This is what I said:
Thank you. Thank you for sacrificing so much to protect this country. Thank you for being willing to leave your home and family to serve a higher purpose. Thank you for facing danger and violence with dignity and strength. Thank you for protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for everything – without you, we would not have any of it.It felt good to start to follow through on the promise I made to myself not to let the wars be an out of sight, out of mind thing anymore. The other thing that hit me as I did this today was that people so often choose not to do something because "it won't make a difference". You know that old excuse? I know it well. I'm not going to do this or that because it won't matter. Its too small. What I realized is that every time someone decides that a gesture is too small, they create a larger and larger gesture of indifference. Who cares if its too small? Its a start - and starting is the only way to go and going is the only way to get somewhere.
Besides. The postcard I found is so beautiful.
Yay!
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