I posted this to Facebook:
“Thank you to those who have served, who are serving, and who will serve.
And thank you to the brave families who sacrifice so much to support the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons who have ever put on the uniform.
Those on the front lines and those on the home front – you are heroes.”
Somebody both supported the sentiment and said he longed for the day when the same reverence is given to schoolteachers. At first I kinda took umbrage at that, feeling both foolish in posting anything on social media and sad that a message of support felt oddly highjacked for another topic.
But the truth is, he’s right. In fact, I long for the day when EVERYONE who sacrifices their time and energy to make the world better, be it as a teacher, parent, businessperson, individual on the street helping somebody else with a bag of heavy groceries, ANYONE who takes time out of our selfish days to do something for someone else is appreciated and acknowledged. All of these people are heroes. True, real heroes. The world seems a dark, dark place at the moment but there are many good things and good people here, there, and everywhere.
It’s odd to think that I’m slated to start this weekend with the runDisney SuperHeroes Weekend of races, including a Dr. Strange 10K on Saturday and an Avengers Half Marathon on Sunday. I’m feeling neither super nor heroic, for a variety of reasons. And that this is Veterans Day weekend, and that as was rightly pointed out to me, there are many, many others who serve the future, I’m feeling particularly guilty over privilege and insulation. A lot of people won’t be able to head off and run a series of events this week. I know I’m lucky but somehow it’s also making me feel foolish and guilty over the advantages I’ve had and continue to avail myself of.
I was at the runDisney expo down in Anaheim yesterday. I wasn’t really in the mood, not even for the Happiest Place on Earth. I made the hour ten minute traffic filled drive and quickly grabbed my stuff.
Took a few photos, albeit less than usual…
…and then I wandered the merch tent. To be honest, I thought the offerings this year were amongst the ugliest and gaudiest I’ve seen.
So it is with my perhaps not so weirdly melancholy that I await the 10K tomorrow, an opening to eight days of races.
I’m lucky.
Many aren’t.
How strange indeed.