The Inescapable Reality...
Why read? I mean, in the grand scheme of things, how important it is for me to read and do this blog. Why am I questioning this now? Well, I just started an intense physical training program. What does that have to do with it? Simple. It does feel like the world is coming apart and all I am doing is seeking refuge in my books. How insignificant... I mean, think about it... I should be saving Darfur. Reality kicked in on Monday. I received an e-mail from my former Company Commander, a man who retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2003. He wrote to tell me he is being re-activated and should be in Iraq by the middle of the summer. Immediately after reading this I ventured to think about the possibilities of my own re-activation. I served under this man during the first Iraqi war in 1990-91. I am sure because of medical conditions developed since then I would probably not be eligible to re-activation. Nevertheless, after questioning the war from both sides of the spectrum, am I ready to leave at a moments notice? Again, I am 40 but that doesn't seem to affect the re-activation process. My former Company Commander is 50+. So, I started a regiment of physical activity with the motivation in mind that I shall not be caught unprepared. In the last 3 days I ran 9.2 miles and have done a variety of upper body and abdominal exercises. I will keep a running total of my miles at the end of each blog entry.
For all of those who oppose the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, I feel your concern and understand completely where your argument comes from. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of that. I have (regardless of age and medical condition) a contractual agreement with an impersonal government that can send me half-way around the world at a moments notice. No time for disagreements. I have to say that the e-mail from my Company Commander has left me unable to read much or able to concentrate in the last couple of days. I was very close to this man during some of the most challenging times in my life. I wish him and his family well. He is probably one of the few people I would walk through the gates of hell for. God speed, Captain.
total:___/9.2
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posted by BookLoverMC @ 9:02 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
What rich experiences, Jose.
Don't be saddened by anything.
Take things moment by moment...one day at a time.
Enjoy the priceless luxuries of time while you can...though I hope it be granted to you in greater abundance in the coming months.
For now, enjoy your reads, friends, writings and all else that may prove beautiful to you. :-)
How interesting to know this about you. You have my complete respect - it's a difficult situation out there all round, and no one involved in it would ever wish for things to be the way they are. But you are a brave man to step in when the rest of us sit around and watch helplessly. It doesn't matter what books are to you, escapism, distraction, a puerile form of comfort. They are there offering whatever they can, and you have every right to take whatever you need.
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