The kids are on spring break this week. Believe it or not, they have never had a spring break!
Jim and I have decided to take as much of the week as possible to spend with the kids. We have at least one meeting each day, but for the most part will be able to get away and spend some time with them.
Last night at about 9:00pm Jim and I decided to go out on a date. We went to Kent, OH (which is only about 5 minutes from us) for a movie. It was quite an experience. The movie was good. We saw "Reign over Me". It is about a guy who basically got "lost" after his family died in one of the planes during 9/11. His friend was a bit "lost" in his life too, even though his life seemed normal.
No one was in the theater until about 30 seconds before the movie started. As we sat there it occurred to us that we were the oldest people in the theater... by about 20 years! Kent, Ohio is college town (Kent State University). The college kids are on spring break so the place ended up being pretty full. It was an odd feeling being there. They laughed in places that seemed odd to us and then we laughed in other places, by ourselves of course.
We both whispered to each other, asking how these kids would understand and truly "get" the movie. Most were probably around 12 when 9/11 happened. Most probably didn't have spouses. Most probably didn't have kids or a family of their own. Though it was a good movie and younger people might enjoy it, until you have certain life experiences I don't think you can truly "get" the entire movie.
Jim and I then embarked on a discussion of the importance of life experience. Education, wisdom and intellegience are great, but experience does count. I think about the Army in general and discussions that happen regarding the leadership of the Army. Many push for younger more culturally relevant individuals to be put into higher leadership roles. Youth can bring a lot to the table, but so does experience. There is a difference between seeing something happen from a distance and actually experiencing it.
I think I would still be considered a young officer. I hope though that I never get to the point where I stop seeking the opinions of those who have come before me, those who have already experienced some of the things I am yet to experience.
As we left the theater EVERYONE seemed to be looking at us. It was freaky. There are not too many situations where I feel like the oddball, but that definitely was one of them.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Date Night
The kids are on spring break this week. Believe it or not, they have never had a spring break!
Jim and I have decided to take as much of the week as possible to spend with the kids. We have at least one meeting each day, but for the most part will be able to get away and spend some time with them.
Last night at about 9:00pm Jim and I decided to go out on a date. We went to Kent, OH (which is only about 5 minutes from us) for a movie. It was quite an experience. The movie was good. We saw "Reign over Me". It is about a guy who basically got "lost" after his family died in one of the planes during 9/11. His friend was a bit "lost" in his life too, even though his life seemed normal.
No one was in the theater until about 30 seconds before the movie started. As we sat there it occurred to us that we were the oldest people in the theater... by about 20 years! Kent, Ohio is college town (Kent State University). The college kids are on spring break so the place ended up being pretty full. It was an odd feeling being there. They laughed in places that seemed odd to us and then we laughed in other places, by ourselves of course.
We both whispered to each other, asking how these kids would understand and truly "get" the movie. Most were probably around 12 when 9/11 happened. Most probably didn't have spouses. Most probably didn't have kids or a family of their own. Though it was a good movie and younger people might enjoy it, until you have certain life experiences I don't think you can truly "get" the entire movie.
Jim and I then embarked on a discussion of the importance of life experience. Education, wisdom and intellegience are great, but experience does count. I think about the Army in general and discussions that happen regarding the leadership of the Army. Many push for younger more culturally relevant individuals to be put into higher leadership roles. Youth can bring a lot to the table, but so does experience. There is a difference between seeing something happen from a distance and actually experiencing it.
As we left the theater EVERYONE seemed to be looking at us. It was freaky. There are not too many situations where I feel like the oddball, but that definitely was one of them.
Jim and I have decided to take as much of the week as possible to spend with the kids. We have at least one meeting each day, but for the most part will be able to get away and spend some time with them.
Last night at about 9:00pm Jim and I decided to go out on a date. We went to Kent, OH (which is only about 5 minutes from us) for a movie. It was quite an experience. The movie was good. We saw "Reign over Me". It is about a guy who basically got "lost" after his family died in one of the planes during 9/11. His friend was a bit "lost" in his life too, even though his life seemed normal.
No one was in the theater until about 30 seconds before the movie started. As we sat there it occurred to us that we were the oldest people in the theater... by about 20 years! Kent, Ohio is college town (Kent State University). The college kids are on spring break so the place ended up being pretty full. It was an odd feeling being there. They laughed in places that seemed odd to us and then we laughed in other places, by ourselves of course.
We both whispered to each other, asking how these kids would understand and truly "get" the movie. Most were probably around 12 when 9/11 happened. Most probably didn't have spouses. Most probably didn't have kids or a family of their own. Though it was a good movie and younger people might enjoy it, until you have certain life experiences I don't think you can truly "get" the entire movie.
Jim and I then embarked on a discussion of the importance of life experience. Education, wisdom and intellegience are great, but experience does count. I think about the Army in general and discussions that happen regarding the leadership of the Army. Many push for younger more culturally relevant individuals to be put into higher leadership roles. Youth can bring a lot to the table, but so does experience. There is a difference between seeing something happen from a distance and actually experiencing it.
As we left the theater EVERYONE seemed to be looking at us. It was freaky. There are not too many situations where I feel like the oddball, but that definitely was one of them.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Shirley
I had to go to a funeral this week. Well, I didn't HAVE to go, I wanted to go. It was the funeral of a dear friend... a saint in my mind. Shirley was a soldier from our first corps appointment. She was a wonderful soldier and a true mentor.
Shirley was about 70 years old when we were in Mt. Vernon. She didn't seem that old (not that 70 is old of course). Shirley was THE lady you could count on handling things when we had to be away or when we simply didn't get something. She actually ran the Christmas toy shop/distribution effort for us. I distinctly remember Shirley telling me every year that at some point I was going to have to learn how to do her job. She tried to tell me each year that she was old and would be retiring soon. I would simply smile and let her know that I was never going to let her retire. She also assured me that we would not be in Mt. Vernon forever and that someday I would have to do the toy shop in another location. I would just tell her that she would have to move with us. It always seemed to work!
I did watch Shirley though and I did learn how to do Christmas from her. I would have to say she taught me quite well by her example :)
As I sat in her funeral service on Thursday I came to realize that I truly never believed that Shirley would retire. I never believed that she would ever die either. Shirley was a rock. She was a rock that I counted on more than I ever realized.
I was a kid in that first appointment. God knew that Shirley was EXACTLY what Jim and I needed. Without her who knows what would have happened.
I pray that the Lord helps me to daily realize the saints that he places in my path. I need them. I also pray that God uses me in the life of another. Will I be that rock, that example of Christ, to another? I can only hope.
Shirley was about 70 years old when we were in Mt. Vernon. She didn't seem that old (not that 70 is old of course). Shirley was THE lady you could count on handling things when we had to be away or when we simply didn't get something. She actually ran the Christmas toy shop/distribution effort for us. I distinctly remember Shirley telling me every year that at some point I was going to have to learn how to do her job. She tried to tell me each year that she was old and would be retiring soon. I would simply smile and let her know that I was never going to let her retire. She also assured me that we would not be in Mt. Vernon forever and that someday I would have to do the toy shop in another location. I would just tell her that she would have to move with us. It always seemed to work!
I did watch Shirley though and I did learn how to do Christmas from her. I would have to say she taught me quite well by her example :)
As I sat in her funeral service on Thursday I came to realize that I truly never believed that Shirley would retire. I never believed that she would ever die either. Shirley was a rock. She was a rock that I counted on more than I ever realized.
I was a kid in that first appointment. God knew that Shirley was EXACTLY what Jim and I needed. Without her who knows what would have happened.
I pray that the Lord helps me to daily realize the saints that he places in my path. I need them. I also pray that God uses me in the life of another. Will I be that rock, that example of Christ, to another? I can only hope.
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