Time is on my side

Service men and women spend enormous amounts of time away from home.  Nature of the job, protecting freedom.  Our warriors learn to pack light, carry only the essentials and move on a moments notice.  No questions, no hissing, no gestures, no "why"...just get your gear and go.  A volunteer force.  World's finest.  A few weeks back I was stretching prior to one of my training runs.  As I looked over at my gear at the edge of the weight lifting platform, I couldn't help but think that those items I'd placed just a foot or so away from me summed up my life.  Seriously.  Besides what I had physcially on me: the clothes on my back, the ring on my finger, the necklace around my neck and the Mizuno's on my feet....those items in reach summed me up.  If all was lost that day, I'd still be the most content man on this earth.  Love of my family, the peace and ease for which their love brings me, the happiest man alive.  The ring on my finger.  Who knew a piece of metal would mean so much.  The necklace around my neck that reminds me of sacrfice so I may love my fellow man and woman.  Lastly, those items on the platform.  Coffee.  I can drink coffee all day long.  Coffee is good.  My water bottles.  Without them, I'd dehydrate, literally.  And of course, my hat.  What you can't see is what the hat says "FOB Falcon, Iraq".  My reminder of our best, our greatest, who packed up on a moments notice.  A reminder of those who didn't come back.  Who lost their life on foreign soil.  They did it for me, for you, for us.  I am thankful for your sacrifice for which I will never forget.
     The love of my family, a hot cup of Joe, some fluid to keep me running and the strength of our Warriors is all I need to keep me going.  Worry not friends, time is on my side.  Victory 400 is a stones throw away and I have plenty of company.