"Indef"

   Jay and I met a man today at McDonald's who was spending time with his great-grandkids, watching them play in the play place. He was a man, probably in his 70's or 80's.. with white hair and a beard. He took great pride in his family and the fact that last year he got to play Santa at his great-grandson's school. He was even more proud about his 26 years in the Navy. He showed us his Navy ID card with the expiration date stating "Indef". He shared how he could hop aboard any military plane, and go anywhere in the world.. but after 26 years traveling in the military, he never wanted to leave the states. He told us how it was hard, that he was gone all the time but he remained faithful to his wife and they had 4 children, some of which he wasn't able to be around for their birth. 

  As he talked, we noticed he began repeating himself, word for word. The more he talked about his life, the more I realized how sad he was. Sad about the events he missed out on, and a deep sadness hid in his eyes.. a loneliness, maybe the memories of war and the experiences he wished to not share. He would occasionally stop and ask "Did I already tell you about this?" Some times I would say yes.. but other times I would let him go on. I couldn't really tell if it was the beginning of Alzheimer's, or the long lasting effects of war. I guess either scenario doesn't really matter. He is a man who sacrificed so his family could have a better life, even if that meant not being able to be there for a lot of it. He is a man who fought to support and defend this country, even if this country didn't always support and defend him. A true Veteran, a true hard-working man. 

   What touched me so much about this man, was how full of life he still was, how he is still very much a fighter today in a different way. He knows his memory isn't perfect, yet he goes out of his way to strike up conversation with strangers. He puts a smile on his face and reaches out to share his life with others. He wasn't always able to physically be there for his children, but is making efforts to fix that with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is out LIVING because he is ALIVE. How precious life is to him. It was an honor to meet him, and an honor to speak with him, even if he won't remember it. 

  His Navy ID.. Expiration Date: "Indef", speaks more than just to travel. It speaks of Indefinite sacrifice, Indefinite appreciation for life, and Indefinite effects of war.  I only pray that in my life.. I can be marked with such attributes by my Heavenly Father and to never lose zest and zeal for life, no matter what may come.