I showed up at the gym yesterday, ready to tangle again with Jacobs Ladder, its newest chamber of horrors, among other things. Just as I hit the sidewalk, I passed an older couple getting out of their car. “Older” as in mid-to-late sixties, I suppose.
There was something different about him. Maybe it was that he moved with a straighter, more invigorated gait than other men his age. Maybe it was the intentionally-tight silver buzz haircut. Maybe it was the black Army t-shirt he wore – something similar to the one pictured here.
“Stop,” said that little voice inside my head. (You have one too… you may want to pay more attention.)
A bit out of character for me in places like this, I paused to ask: “Are you a veteran?”
His already-alert face lit up as he helped his wife to the curb. “Yes, I am,” he smiled.
“Happy Veterans Day,” I said. “And thanks for your service to our country.”
“Thank you,” he beamed, I think genuinely touched.
That commenced a brief chat as we walked to the front door.
“Army?” I asked.
“Sure was,” The Veteran said. “How about you? Were you ever in the military?”
“No sir. My uncle was career Army in the Corps of Engineers.”
Then The Veteran said something that was remarkable to me on several levels.
“If I was 30 years younger, I’d be there today,” he said. “I enjoyed every minute of it.”
There was none of the now-familiar angst, the quiet near-shame, or even the silent seethe common in some vets. This was something altogether different.
We were talking about one of the loves of his life. And we were talking about something he believes in – not just with his words, but with his actions to this day. How can your countenance not light up when you talk from the heart on that level?
How many things can you point to in your life that you could say after 30 years or even one-plus year, “If I could, I’d do it all over again?”
How many things or people or causes or organizations in your life history still light up your face with pride or your memories with deep gratitude?
How many of those things or people or causes or organizations can you point to and say, “I still believe?” (Sorta made me sad considering the t-shirt I was wearing, but that’s another story.)
They don’t make holidays for every lifetime love, act of service, or deeply-cherished belief (though I’m quite sure you can get a t-shirt that celebrates it). But this man didn’t need a holiday, or even the thanks of a grateful nation. He just needed to be 30 years younger… and a chance to do it all over.
But on Veterans Day, there was no concealing the love of his life.
“Have a good workout,” The Veteran said as we went our separate ways.
I did. Jacobs Ladder abused my body well enough. But my heart had already had a workout of its own. And if I could do it all over again…
Yeah, that.