The Whole Story

Thought you would like to read this.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EMAIL AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT IS MEANT BY:
RED FRIDAY.

Last week, while traveling in Canada on business, I noticed a soldier traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two-and-two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the soldier, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.

Heading out, I asked?
No. I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I’m taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do, hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Canada the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

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By Regina Brett
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.  My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone.  It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

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