The Wounded Warrior Outdoors Spring Turkey hunt is taking place around the Valley this weekend and all week. I was blessed with the opportunity to share an amazing lunch with real American heroes! It is always a humbling experience to sit around the table breaking bread with individuals that actually put their life in harms way, so that you and I can continue to have our Freedom. As soon as I arrived at the hunting camp, the smell of Nicky & gang cooking ribeye and chicken certainly grabbed my attention but as soon as I got out of the vehicle a friendly Veteran rolled over in his wheel chair to greet me. I had never met this gentleman on any of the other Wounded Warrior Outdoor events. This was his first time to hunt Turkey in our area. Instantly, we became friends and the conversation was on. He was blessed with the gift of gab, like me. I am not going to mention his name although he probably wouldn't mind. I will say he is a triple amputee but has an amazing attitude. We talked about a multitude of things and somehow got off on the subject how kids react to someone that "looks" different. He said it is just human nature for kids to stare at someone that may look different. He shared a story with me that will stick with me forever. He told that when his daughter (who is now 24) was in Kindergarten came home from school one day crying because some kids said her daddy didn't have any legs. The teacher called that afternoon, speaking to his wife, asking if he would come to school and speak to the class. The wife quickly said, yes of course without even consulting him (he laughed as he told this part to me, he was at work and had no clue he had been volunteered for the school visit). He went to school and as the kids were staring at him they kept their distance. He told the class that just because he looked different on the outside, he was the same on the inside like any other person. He asked the kids, what if they lost their two front teeth wouldn't it be hard to eat an apple? Most nodded or said yes. Then he said it would be easier to eat if mommy or daddy would cut the apple up into small pieces, right? The kids (still staring) nodded or said yes. He said I am no different. Just because I have no legs, one arm and a partial arm, I often need help doing things too like cutting up particular foods. Once he shared this with the kids, he said they all moved in closer to him and was touching his wheelchair, wanting to push buttons and there was never another issue about it again. He also went on to say that just opened a gate for the kids to ask questions and boy they were not shy at all then. Wow is what I say! My mind was blogging for a moment, as I continued to stand beside him talking as he showed me his customized truck (it was very cool). Yes he drives! I said you know it is amazing what folks can have with the technology of today (lots of gadgets on his truck). I said you are not limited due to such inventions in today's world. He said no, I am not limited. The entire time we spoke he smiled.
I was just the person taking coolers of ice to the camp in hopes to see some returning WWO friends, make new friends and of course eat some delicious food. Here I had never laid eyes on this man before but he was placed in my path today, April 12, 2014, to bless me. And what a blessing I received from him. His attitude was fantastic. His outlook on life was positive. Sure he may be physically challenged in someways but his spirit to live life with out restrictions touched my heart. I have no reason to complain ever again about anything. I am blessed beyond what I deserve. We are all blessed and if you don't think you are then Whoa! If you are breathing, then you are blessed. I think we take so much for granted, like being able to eat an apple with out assistance, that we do not appreciate even the smallest or simplest things in life. The next time you eat an apple, I hope that you remember this story and do two things: one, be thankful for your blessings and two, thank a Veteran or someone active in the military. They certainly do not get the recognition or the thanks they so greatly deserve in my opinion. From the bottom of my heart Thank You for defending our red, white and blue and all that it stands for in this land we call the home of the free and brave. No I am not going to bust out singing the Star-Spangled Banner (lucky for you) but I will say that every time I hear it played, I get goose bumps. Yes, every single time.
If you would like more information on Wounded Warrior Outdoors go to www.woundedwarrioroutdoors.com and you can follow WWO on Facebook. Be ready to receive a blessing from WWO; the leaders, participants and others associated with this group.
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