March 1, 2010

March 1, 2010

Just following your heart can make a difference or touch a life! Here’s a for instance.

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take a ride around Destin and take some photos. Photography was a passion of mine for years, but I got away from it after I moved to Jonesboro for various reasons. It’s probably because my life was different and I had a lot of adjusting to do. My SLR camera has lain untouched for years. The last time it was used was when my sons borrowed it in May of 2007 when they went to Africa right after Tyler’s West Point graduation. I recently pulled it out to take some shots for the real estate ad that Vicki and I were making and the only reason I pulled out my SLR was because my point and shoot pocket camera’s battery was down and the charger’s in Jonesboro. A few days later I took several for my girlfriend Claire so she could use one for her business card. I found I was having a fun time taking photos again!

Now back to the point of this story. While riding around on a beautiful 60 degree blue sky afternoon I had began noticing the amount of American flags flying in various settings. That began my focus for a while for my photos. I then took a break and stopped by Panera bread at Destin Commons, ordered a coffee and sat outside but against the window in the shade to look through the photos. (If you’re in the shade you can see the digital display on the camera better). I sat there for a few minutes and at one point I looked up and just inside the restaurant sitting directly across from me was a lone elderly gentleman eating soup. What caught my eye was his cap sitting to the side next to the window that I was looking through. I could make out medals and badges and the words “Retired US”, but I couldn’t make out the rest. I tried not to stare, but my thoughts were, “what a great photo opportunity!” Of course there was no way I could take a shot because the window glare would get in the way and it would just be rude to do it without asking. He was eating his dinner so I didn’t want to intrude. As all of this was running through my mind, I guess I was staring at his cap. He must have noticed because he reached over a flipped the cap to face me where I could fully read the front of it. “Retired US Marine”. I looked at him and laughed and he smiled back. I then saw his ring! I know a military ring when I see one.

I couldn’t help myself! I got up, went inside and apologized for interrupting his meal, but I wanted to take the moment to thank him for his years of service to our country. I then told him I had lost my oldest son a few months ago in Afghanistan. He looked shocked and felt he had to say something in return. I get that a lot, and I just said, “No words necessary sir, just thank you!” He smiled with tears in his eyes. I shook his hand and went back outside. He was just finishing his meal and put his trash away. I saw him begin to leave and then he stopped. He came outside where I was and asked if he could sit down. I said “of course”. He then looked at me and said, “Korean War”. I nodded my head. He then said, “I just lost my wife of 52 years this last Christmas eve to cancer. We had dreams of our retirement and now she’s gone.” I said to him, “I understand, Sir, I saw that a lot in my former hospice work.” I then asked him how he was doing right now. He replied, “I’ve been blessed with a great support system and I have a good church. It’s life, it’s a fact and I’ve faced death before with my fellow soldiers in war. This is different though, but I’ll be okay.” He then thanked me for listening and expressed his sorrow for me. We both shed a few tears as we sat there. We then stood up, shook hands again and he said, “thank you for your kindness.” I replied, “you’re welcome” and we then both walked away.

I’m writing this to say, if you take the time to listen to your heart that it will come back tenfold. I touched this older gentleman’s life and he touched mine. We shared equal pain and grief and we both knew it, and there were very few words spoken.

God bless
Lona