Sand Angel

I recently caught up with one of my closest friends from Junior High via Facebook. When I knew him, he was high energy, funny, always interested in helping others, and a martial arts nut with a thrill seeking nature.

I discovered that he has become an Army Medic. This is totally not what I had imagined he would become. I'm not entirely sure what exactly I thought he might do when grew up, but Army Medic was not it. I jokingly envisioned him as a professional world changer (activist) or maybe a ninja (stunt man?).

He recently got deployed to Iraq. He's been sharing what he is allowed - a few views of his life via Facebook and his blog, and I've realized that he is still as wacky and interested in helping others as always. This guy drives an ambulance into firefights to go save guys he doesn't know, fix 'em up and then send them home. Sounds a lot like both a world changer and a ninja to me.

His view of his bunk/room was particularily eye opening. He joked about his prized possessions- a folding table and folding chair (makeshift desk)- and showed off his locker. He was making many comments about his "zany stuff" and I had to do a couple of double takes.

Right now, my friend's worldly possessions fit into an oversized suitcase. He travels the world with less items than I take on vacation and he makes it his home no matter where he goes.

His running commentary on the camp, his fellow soldiers, his life & duty are all told in his same high energy wise cracking way. He hasn't changed very much at all- but he changes everything around him just by being himself.

I'm really honored to know him.