Heather in Paradise

My never-ending workload has put me about 5 blog posts behind, and I’m thankful that you have all been so patient with me.

I’m thankful that I know how to read, I have never had to go without food, and all but one of my grandparents are still living.

I have never broken a bone (just a wee fracture), my hair looks best when it’s a little dirty, I pick up foreign languages fairly easily, and I am pretty good at most sports without even trying.

Although I could stand to lose a few pounds, for the most part I can eat whatever I want. And while I’m not too keen on the wrinkle thing, being 38 means that if I don’t know who I am and what I want by now, I’ll never know. And what a relief it is to lay that burden down, let me tell you. It’s the not knowing for sure thing that kills.

Do you know that I think I have at least two…maybe three…people who would throw themselves in front of a bullet for me? Now that’s saying something. That despite the truth that we can never really know another person, that I have someone in my life who values my life more than their own. More than I value my own life, really.

I’m writing this off the cuff, and right now this is blowing my damn mind. Just think about it for a minute. Undoubtedly you also have someone in your life who would lay down his or her life for yours.

Is there someone in your life for whom you’d be willing to die? I know my answer to this, but do you know yours?

My friend Tyler pointed me in the direction of this website that sends postcards drawn by little kids to thank US American soldiers for their service (Thank you, Tyler). Some of you may know that I was in the US Army during the first Gulf War; receiving mail (and especially the drawings from school kids) was honestly one of the only joys in a life that was, for a young, lonely, creative person, a bleak existence.

This one made me cry/laugh in the ridiculous way that I do whenever something strikes me as sad, moving, and almost unbearably beautiful.

Thank you, Afiya, age 9, from Atlanta, GA. I love your crazy eagle, random black t-shirts, and sweet cloud words. I am so grateful for your life.