This week felt like Christmas, "Yankie" team agreed on a plan to give food to the beggars in the street, a small gesture of kindness. Everyday, as we head back to the FOB, we pass several women and their young children in the middle of the street, and I often thought of helping and because we are not allowed to stop or dismount from the vehicle, it was just a thought. This week is different, the thought of helping became a reality. Whoever came up with the idea, of bringing food in the humvee and throwing it outside, is a person with a big heart and full of courage. An act of kindness makes a difference in this world. If you have seen these children, your heart will be filled with pity and sadness which I always felt when we pass the women beggars in the streets, mostly I felt bad for the children. I think the idea came from either the team leader or our new Captain, who just recently joined our team. I realized both have a good heart and making this arrangement made me think highly of them. Yes, a risky decision because there are people out there who would like to hurt Americans and will do all means necessary, even portraying like women or beggars. A risk that was taken but I am glad we were able to help in our own little way. The food drop was only for a week but the memories of helping those less fortunate will stay with me for a lifetime. I was fortunate to get a video clip of the operation food drop and I wanted to share it on my blog, but I cannot post it, for it is very challenging to upload data through the wireless connection. Helping others always reminds me of Christmas, a time of giving and sharing, why can it always be that way?
Everyone should make an effort to help others, no matter how small, so as long it comes from the heart. This remind me of another kind person. One other day, my team decided to stop by the airport to grab some food before we went back to the FOB. The team were divided because some wanted to eat at the dinning facility and five wanted to go eat pizza. And of course, am one of those who loves to eat and eating at the dinning facility I have done for almost forever and the last thing I want to do is go to the airport and eat the DFAC, especially when there are plenty of eatery place at the airport. I want good food even if its only once a month. Me and four other team member went to a pizzeria. As we walked to the front counter, a civilian woman was deciding on what pizza she wanted. As we stood patiently for our turn, she faced us and said she wanted to buy us pizza. All of us looked at each other and then looked at her. She insisted and said, "It is small gesture in thanking you all for what you do for our country." and she bought each one of us a whole pizza. We invited her to sit with us, and she asked about our job in Afghanistan. We exchange conversations and enjoyed her stories. She too was prior military and I will never forget her name, "Hunter Logan". One of our team member's last name is Hunter, and she made a joke, if she was married to him, her name would have been Hunter Hunter. I am very grateful to people like her, who never forget their roots, and continue to spread a little joy to other people lives. Maybe others will say it is just pizza but for me it was more than a pizza, a "Thank you" from a total stranger for what I do, make me feel like that I have chosen a rewarding profession and my efforts will never be forgotten. So when you have an opportunity to spread joy to others, do it! It is is spiritually rewarding. And those peoples' lives you have touched, will never forget you. I know I will always remember her act of kindness.
