Hero

Looming large in my world right now is the death of a young soldier from my hometown.  He died in Afghanistan on a mission...He died a hero. I knew him.  Somewhat.  A lifetime ago.  And I feel absurd for the level of grief I feel for a man I haven't seen in a decade, since he was a teenager.  Yet I cannot shake it. 

I met Mike when I was a shift supervisor at a local restaurant.  He was only four years younger than me, but at 21 and 17 those four years felt like a much larger gap.  So much so that when I read that he had died, I thought 'but he is just a kid' and was totally confused when I saw he was 31.  I did not know him well.  I didn't know his family or his plans or his story.  Here is what I do know...

I remember that he was a hard worker with a great work ethic.  I remember that I always wanted him to be on my shift because he was always in a great mood and got things done.  I remember that if there was a practical joke going on in the back of the house, Mike was probably behind it.  He was always smiling, always laughing, always doing his best. 

I have not seen him since I left that job.  I had not heard that he had enlisted.  I knew nothing of his life as an adult.   And still...when I heard that he had died defending my freedom to sit down and blog all these words any time I want...I cried.  I stalked the memorial Facebook page.  I felt like I should do something, say something...but there is nothing.  Tomorrow I will go hold a flag and watch the caravan bring him to the funeral home where his family will have the impossible task of saying final goodbyes.  There are no words that will make this okay.

I wish I would have known that he was out there...protecting and serving our country...protecting my family and my freedom.  I wish that I would have remembered him because I ran into him at a bar and remembered his ear to ear smile, instead of seeing it online under an awful headline.  I wish, I wish, I wish...

Thank you, Mike, for your service and your sacrifice.  I am grateful beyond all measure.  There are no words.