Auld Lang Syne

Howdy Ya’ll,

Today will go about for me much as it will for most of you. I had a fulfilling stack of French toast this morning, complete with brown sugar and maple syrup. In addition, I enjoyed the casual walk and brisk chilly air as I returned from the DFAC. Like most of us, the morning begins with the start up of a computer screen, and the requisite review of emails from the previous evening. I have the luxury of perusing the news online while enjoying the first, of many, Diet Cokes for the day. All in all, a regular start to another mundane day at the office.

Except today is different for it is the last day of 2004. Today will make the last breakfast, and pot of coffee we are to enjoy in this year. Tomorrow we will start all over again. Reflection seems the order of the day, and in that vein, we will proceed.

It has been an eventful year, though not unique. Marked with tragedy, war, politics and unrest, there is also the ensuing hope that follows such events. This year, and my own personal experience, has seen the reconstruction of a previously war torn and battered Iraq. Palestine has seen the death of a political leader, criminal and thug. The Ukraine has witnessed revolution. Southeast Asia is suffering natural disaster. The United States went through the motions of another presidential election, and I was informed that a new Chick-fil-a will be opening near my house. All of these facts are noteworthy in the human condition, but I believe that the most interesting topic of discussion is the magnitude of natural and uncontrollable events during the year. Let us recap the most prevalent.

Mount St. Helens experienced a minor eruption, which caused more air pollution than the entire industrialized world combined.
Another near record breaking year for hurricanes battered North American coastline.
Record setting earthquakes have rocked the southern hemisphere.
A tsunami has laid waste to Indonesia.

These four categories grab me as most notable. Please forgive me if I have omitted something that you deem equally as important. Let me know of any additions and I will expand upon the list.

What makes events such as these unique is the complete separation from human control. The civilized world follows its own motions, but political unrest and election, terrorist activity, and charitable efforts can all be credited to people. Whereas natural events are not “caused” by anyone (please constrain that interpretation to the mortal and earthly coil) and that uncertainty and unpredictability make them very distressing to the civilized world.

Now, one could argue that it is precisely their uncontrolled nature that makes them easier to accept because they are not the result of decisive human action, malicious or otherwise, but I would tend to think the contrary. Philosophy and theology have tackled the issue of the human condition for centuries, and most have come to the conclusion that man has the ability to affect the outcome of societal evolutions, however cyclical, but even the current scientific realm still holds the laws of nature in awe and respect for their magnitude and erratic behavior. The natural world is as carnal and raw as human instinct, and it is not to be disregarded.

Okay, having made note of the global magnitude of natural disaster, I would also note that we all have our microcosm of events which more directly affect our lives. I, personally, have learned to live with the sound of outgoing military rounds. The distant sputter of small arms fire is now background music. I know just how long to pause a conversation to let helicopters pass overhead, drowning out all other noise. I have learned how to accessorize when wearing a bullet proof vest, and I can truly appreciate the benefits of running hot water and two-ply toilet paper on society. I have learned the social relativism is a phrase coined by others who have only read of other cultures in National Geographic, and never had to “tolerate” cultural differences. I have learned that it is not a “small world” yet and that there are still oceans between us, regardless of what the international talking heads try to tell people. I have learned to trust my political and social convictions, and I am sure of my personal faith and the certainty of those beliefs. I also know, conclusively, that fried chicken was meant to be eaten with macaroni and cheese.

Now, just like me, most of you will have items that span the philosophical spectrum as well as those little tidbits of experience which come with life and the passing of years. I hope that all of your memories of this year were memorable and efficacious to your mind and your soul. Remember that everything has its purpose. Tragedy makes us stronger while happiness gives us the strength to face the next battle.

Epicurus was a Greek philosopher in the 4th century BC. Let me leave you with a quote.

“Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul. And to say that the season for studying philosophy has not yet come, or that it is past and gone, is like saying that the season for happiness is not yet or that it is now no more. Therefore, both old and young alike ought to seek wisdom, the former in order that, as age comes over him, he may be young in good things because of the grace of what has been, and the latter in order that, while he is young, he may at the same time be old, because he has no fear of the things which are to come. So we must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed towards attaining it.” —Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus

-Pooh out.

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas All,

It’s Christmas Day here in ol’ Baghdad, Iraq. It is rainy and wet. The clouds are as thick as the sand below. I think I heard camels caroling last night. What a Christmas!

As we all celebrate this festive season, take time to remember those whom you love and cherish. Think back through your year and dwell upon on those little moments that made you smile, even through the hard times. Most of all, remember that there are those for whom Christmas leaves a bitter taste. For them, the holiday has been marred by injustice, ill fate, and inadequate love. You cannot serve justice, nor can you change fates, but you can love. How you show it, is up to you.

Charity is not about guilt or pity. It is not weighed by its tax deduction, or the amount of recognition that follows. It is not always tangible. Charity is a smile tossed to passersby, changing their day immeasurably. It is a hug given to an acquaintance when they seem to be too alone. It is the silent company with elderly. To whom you may not have much to say, but from whom there is much to hear. Charity is action without words. It is deeds without praise or reward. It is love without expectation. Charity is the net result of the good of individuals.

This season, do not waste time judging the charity of others, but, rather, of yourself toward those who need it. You cannot know that your actions will change the world or the lives of whom you affect. You cannot worry about what others might be able to give of themselves either. You can only control your deeds. Give and share. Believe that you will help, and let your deeds be their own reward.

May God bless all those of you who have made a prayer for me and mine this holiday season. I miss you all. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

-Pooh out.

Christmas Cheer In Iraq

Howdy All,

I know that the latest posts have been less than jovial, and you all actually missed one of the best posts because Blogger was having some trouble and I lost my opus, but this one is more up beat.

I got a box. Now, before expanding that point, the mere simple act of receiving a box in the mail is noteworthy in itself here in Iraq. It is a status symbol, a badge of honor, to return from a visit to the mail room with a sizable package. It is a tangible indication that you are not only away from home, but that you are loved and missed as well. At this point, the contents within the box are irrelevant, as all the value lies within the act of receipt. I got a big box. I must be loved a lot!

After the initial excitement had subsided, I was finally ready to concentrate on the next step in the box receipt process. I opened the sucker. Now, I must confess that I was ready for the arrival of the box, as I was informed of it's shipment, but I was not expecting such a cool surprise as what awaited inside.

Christmas cheer is not overflowing on my desk because of the great little Christmas tree and bows. Along with one solitary little Santa ornament which rests alone and proud on a branch, there is a holiday color to my drab office. Around this wonderful little plastic evergreen are a pile of presents. Presents for me! Yep, I must really be loved.

It's official. Christmas is here...Even in Iraq. No matter how cold it gets, it will be warm here at my desk, and I will have a smile on my face. I miss my wife. I miss my family and friends. I miss home, but I know I'm not forgotten. Merry Christmas Ya'll.

-Pooh out.

Reality Wears Heavy

Howdy Ya'll.

It is a sorrowful day. We have been informed, though without detail, of the death of a coworker. I did not know him well, but he was a friend to those I work with and a familiar face on camp. He was young, or perhaps that is too simple a statement. He was younger than anyone should be at death.

He was on vacation; his first. I have listened to the muted conversation that often surrounds such news, and it was a break from this place that he eagerly anticipated. We do not yet know of the circumstances surrounding his passing, and perhaps we will not ever know. The uncertainty can only add to the sadness. I pray for his family, friends and loved ones.

Today we will mourn. I, myself cannot mourn for him. I did not know him well, and I cannot speculate on his death. I do not know of his transgressions, so I cannot mourn him for his foolishness. I do not know if he was a victim, so I cannot mourn for his innocence. Today I mourn for those around me who do mourn his passing. It is their innocence that I mourn, for today many will newly experience the loss of a coworker to whom they had grown close. We are a family here, with more hours together than most know. We work, eat, and play together. We are all neighbors and friends. We have enjoyed peace together, and suffered the agitation of time in bunkers. Today, reality wears heavy in this place.

God bless his family and his soul. May he rest in peace and be remembered for his life.

-Pooh out.