It's pretty freaking sad when you are laughing at your own post title...I'm just saying...it's all Bob.

So, I read a book. Wow, right? I read tons of books. But I actually read a non-fiction book (got your boots on? Good, cause this is getting deep.). The Lone Survivor. An amazingly heart-wrenching story of one man's survival during a military mission gone ape shit. Basically, a four man seal team is dropped into the middle of nowhere Afghanistan to gather information, if not capture, a notorious Taliban/Al Qaeda operative. A heard of goats and a couple of herders stumble upon them and the battle is on. One by one Marcus Luttrell watches as each of his comrades fall around him. Long story short, he survives. Against amazing odds, he survives. This book changed my life.

Okay, so my trip to The Bahama's changed my life also but in a completely different way. Up until the point in my life where I read this book, I supported the soldiers fighting for our country overseas. In my own silent, patriotic way, I supported them. Thank you and come home safely. But this book, those sad, stoic, sometimes witty words broke my heart. Made me stand back and really look at the world around me, my own tiny little piece of this great big atmosphere and see all that I could have, should have been doing. He lost his best friend. Heard him screaming for him to save him from the death that awaited him. Kept his brother's best friend by his side as the life slowly ebbed from his body, telling him with his last breath to make sure he would tell his wife that he loved her. Kept his composure in the midst of fear and heart break. Living through a hell most of us could never imagine.

It's a powerful story of survival. Survival of living. Plain day to day living.

My family and I adopted several soldiers after I finished that book. Male, female, platoons and squadrons. People who ask for things like snacks and toothpaste. Soap. Small things we all take for granted that are so greatly appreciated by these men and women that every thank you email I receive makes me happy while at the same time it breaks my heart.

World Peace is a beautiful ideal. But it takes work and courage and a strength of character displayed by every soldier that boards a plane or ship to parts unknown. A character trait I find myself greatly lacking. Each one of them is special and deserving of something more than the silent 'go team' offerings of coach potato patriots, such as myself.

Buy the book. Adopt a soldier. Let them know that, regardless of your opinion of the war, you support them. Not the government or governmental policies, but them.