pic: lastheplace.com
pic: dsusa.org
Normally this blog pertains to music and art...a hodgepodge of colors or brainwaves that inspire me. Today's inspiration is a little different.
I had lunch with a friend on 37th and Hampton. I live on Colonial and New York. AKA: Not Far.
Over a $22 lunch, I complained about a few things in my life and she did the same. We weren't "woe is me," however, there was some self pity peppering the pita chips.
I walked over to Muddy Paws and bought my dog some treats. Ahh! Sunshine in the city! Walked back to my car and a kind sir pointed out my front tire was flat. Grr...
There was a gas station with an air pump on the same block. I cautiously drove there and realized I had no change. No cash even. Across the street was a Bank of America. Five dollars in ATM fees and two precarious trips crossing Hampton Boulevard during lunch hour later, I'm back at the air pump working on my tire. I'm frustrated.
I drive home and flip through radio stations. Commercial. Commericial. Commer--- The Heath Calhoun 400 coming to Richmond International Raceway!
Wait. What?
For those of you who don't know, Heath is an Army Vet whom I've known since childhood. Same church youth group. Same high school. Etc. I haven't seen him in years, but childhood friends generally don't leave the memory. I remember doing this hybrid hanglide/skydive thing with him at King's Island and the adrenaline rush lasting for what seemed like forever.
He joined the Army and went to Iraq. He lost his legs. He's one of the most successful people I know despite all of this. I'm not a good military writer and won't do justice to what great things need to be and have been said about him, so I'll post some links at the bottom of this if anyone's interested in specifics.
Anyway, the point is this: Inspiration often comes in the forms of art, music, movies. The next time you're blessed to break down directly between a bank and a gas station, five blocks from home, on a warm sunny day, with legs to get you to the ATM and back, after dropping more than some people spend in a week on a salad, don't complain.
I live here in this military town but don't hang with a lot of miitary people. I don't go to their mall, their movies, their bar. Don't mingle, basically. So today I'm just stopping and taking a second to say THANK YOU. REALLY. Check out the links below for some great feelings.
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