"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~~Wisdom from Dr. Seuss:

6.09.2011

Do You Ever Think

of the cost of our Freedom?


Yesterday while having lunch at Chik-fil-A with DH I noticed a military man sitting a few tables up.  I couldn't help it, my eyes kept drifting back to him even while I was talking with DH.  Fortunately his back was to me so he didn't think I was a stalker.  
I wondered where he had been.  If he had just come "home".  If he had a family who had been impatiently waiting for his return but most of all, what he has been through.  Over and over I see our military out.  At airports, hotels, and restaurants.  Those same questions seem to run through my mind over in over but most of all I ALWAYS question why I never see anyone walking up to them, Thanking them, Welcoming them home.    
I watched him.  He was sitting across from an older man who I would assume was his Dad.  Same build, same features.  Same military haircut.
I watched as he seemed uneasy.  Watching people around him.  I didn't know if it was habit from where he'd been or if he was afraid someone would come to him upset.  (That I have seen) 
As DH & I were getting refills of tea I handed mine to him and walked over to him. 
I asked him if he had been serving.  He answered yes with an unsure look.  I shook his hand and thanked him for his service.  He had a look.  I'm not sure if it was shock or surprise.  My heart broke thinking how sad it is people do not thank them enough.  I reached over and hugged him tight and told him I was glad he was home.  DH had come over by then and thanked him as well.  When we walked out DH said, "Did you see him tear up?"  I replied, "No because I couldn't see for my own tears."  He touched me deep.  
His willingness to give himself freely to ensure my Freedoms, which are many. 
 
If you see our service men and women, please greet them. 
Thank them. 
(image from Google)



It takes only a second of your time for which they have given hours on end of theirs for you. 

Today I am Thankful for ALL our men and women in service. 
Especially Mr. Kidd who we met by chance in Chik-Fil-A.


4 comments:

Jennifer said...

This was a really great post. I have the highest amount of respect possible for our service men and women. How admirable that they would put their own lives at risk so that we can live freely. I enjoyed this post!

Taylor said...

I love this post! I have been thinking about this a lot lately.

tammy said...

Now you're making me tear up. As someone who lost a family member in Iraq, thank you for going out of your way to thank him. I'm sure they don't hear it enough, especially nowadays.

tammy said...

p.s. cute blog layout!