Although the weekend went by quickly, it is one that had an impression on me. I had a great time taking in the flavors of fall at the Cranberry Festival with Keith & Jordan. There's nothing that quite reinforces fall's presence like the smells of cranberry muffins, home brewed root beer and apple turnovers along with hundreds of vendors selling everything from knit gloves to knock off pocket books. This small little area is transformed into a semi-carnival attracting thousands from all walks of life and for 48 hours this little patch of land becomes a tourist attraction. I look forward to it all going back to normal tomorrow where I pass a handful of cars on the way to the shore and there are more pine trees than people.
Before heading out to Chatsworth with the crew I spent the morning at Freedom Park in Medford. A little over a hundred people gathered for the unveiling of a monument raised in memory of soldiers who lost their lives in service within our surrounding communities. Young and old were gathered all for the same reason, to pay tribute to someone that they knew who gave their life for our country.
As I stood among men and women in uniform, young children holding flags and family members holding back tears it was nothing short of powerful. Each day we wake, drink our coffee, head to work, head home, spend time with family and head to sleep only to do it all over again. For the majority of us we don't think twice about the possibility of a terrorist ramming into us on the way to work or grenades being hurled at us while playing at the park with our children. We are a free nation. We are a nation laden with privileges, blessings and abundance. We are also a nation, too often, with a short memory.
Everything that we encounter on a daily basis came with a price tag and it was a hefty one at that. Men and women who strapped on their boots, wore our country's uniform and battled in far off lands to ensure our freedom; some returned, some did not. Standing under a sky of blue watching our nation's flag flapping in the wind as mothers and fathers touched the names of their children etched onto the black granite monument my heart swelled with pain for them, but pride for our country.
I rolled out of bed earlier that morning with a lump in my throat thinking of a young man that I hadn't seen in a long time. Driving the short few miles to Freedom Park seemed eternal with faces and memories that flooded my memory. I too, was among the one hundred plus who knew one of the thirteen young men. Scrolling down the list of names, there was one that tugged even stronger at my heart. Jared Michael Leonard.
Jared was a boy that I grew up with who turned into a man that wore our nation's uniform and paid the ultimate sacrifice. I am forever grateful to Jared and the countless who served, fought and paid the greatest sacrifice. Thank you, Jared, you will never be forgotten.
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It's Monday evening & as I sit at the computer typing utter exhaustion is setting in, but I wanted to take the time to reflect a bit before my head hits the pillow tonight. The past 72 hours have been a whirl wind that leaves my eyelids heavy, but my heart rejuvenated.
This weekend marked the sixth annual Drug Squad retreat where 28 teenagers boarded a yellow bus at Seneca bound for the Lawler Farm in Greenbay, Va. It's hard to believe that this was the sixth year, but each set of teens who make the trek each year brings new challenges, experiences and lessons to be learned.
One of the things I focused on this year was establishing a view of people in a way that adhered to my ever so cliche, 'judge free zone' mentality. We are very quick to make assumptions, judgement calls and attach labels to people within a matter of minutes and having nothing to really substantiate this with. It was amazing to witness 28 sets of eyes connect this reality (the fact is we are all, to some degree, guilty of false assumptions) among their peers. When we keep our eyes and ears closed off to listening to the passions, struggles and life stories of others we miss out on some potentially amazing relationships.
I am very proud of these kids & their determination to make an impact on those around them. Seventeen and eighteen year old kids with a degree of heart, integrity and empathy that leaves me in awe. Even though I didn't even make it to bed until after 3 in the morning and rolled back out a mere 3.5 hours later, it is so very worth it. I feel blessed to have the opportunities that I do to work with the hearts of kids that are the future. There's something pretty special about seeing the fire in their eyes and drive to truly change the world for the better. These young people challenge me to be a better person and reassure me that ears are listening and hearts are opening in a way that will, in many ways, change the world.
