Be grateful for life’s tedious freedoms — they come at a costWhile interviewing Kevin Miller’s parents this week, it occurred to me what a different world they’re living in, having a son so far from home, so close to harm’s way.It also occurred to me that they likely approach the holidays — and life itself — from quite a different perspective than many of us do.While shoppers in the States were crowding through department store doors in search of bargains last week, Kevin was kicking in doors in Falluja in search of Iraqi insurgents and weapons.While the rest of us back home enjoyed Thanksgiving meals around festive tables in comfortable homes, Kevin was surviving on packaged military rations and three hours of sleep per day — on the ground.Big concerns back home (in my case, getting the big Thanksgiving Star Herald to press a day early) seemed tedious compared to Marines in combat carrying such weight on their shoulders. Kevin this month lost both roommates and several friends on the front lines.My pen stopped several times mid-air as Kevin’s parents talked about what life’s been like for them in the past few months.It was hard for me to imagine, but it was even harder for them to describe. As Kari put it, "There just aren’t words."It’s important, I think, to recognize the stark contrasts between the two worlds.This isn’t to say we should feel guilty about our relatively tedious, frivolous lives. On the contrary, we should be thankful we’re able to live that way — so carefree — and celebrate those freedoms …… and never take them for granted.Not after Kevin and others like him have worked so hard serving their country and risked so much in the process.
