KNOW BUDDY

Do you know what a jingle truck is? It's an Afghanistan version of Pimp My Ride, only a truck, often covered with lampshades, bric a brac, trees, and even other cars riding on top. Yep, never knew it before, myself, but I learned about jingle trucks from my Know Buddy, Jeff who is now serving in Afghanistan. Still in his 20's, Jeff has seen things I never will and probably never want to. He leaves a young wife and four month old baby behind in the states while he tries to convey life in Afghanistan in emails. Dealing daily with IED's (look it up if you don't know because you should)and a culture prone to never giving an honest answer, Jeff is making a difference one person at a time. No, maybe Jeff is not going to convert an entire nation into a peace loving people or persuade militants to go find a different country to bother single handed but he is the face of you and I or at least the best parts of you and I when he tries to bring a sense of "I'm there for you." to those who landed in the middle of this crisis simply because of their heritage or geography. Jeff is making a difference because Jeff always has; whether as captain of his high school hockey team, fraternity brother to one of his Florida State friends, husband, father, friend or platoon leader.

I learned about more than jingle trucks from Jeff. I learned that we should never give up on any generation or any people, culture or persuasion. I learned that while we might not like our current mission, we are given it for a purpose. I learned that a sense of humor is like money in the bank; an assurance that you can find that silver lining and I learned that had it not been for the oddest of circumstances, ones I never would have arranged, I would not even know about this young man or jingle trucks, or any of the previously mentioned benefits.

How about you? Did you ever find yourself becoming friends with someone you never thought you would, someone you might seem to have little in common with or even someone who didn't travel in the same circle as you. Have you ever thought any of the people you know might just have been purposefully placed into your path for a reason? Maybe they are your hairdresser, your vet, your child's teacher, your cranky neighbor, your difficult colleague, your mechanic, or the person who packs your groceries. Do you have a Know Buddy that has made a difference in your life because you have gotten to know them?

Jeff was my son's German tutor over ten years ago...a seemingly confident, charming and wild young man who never missed a chance at any experience. Today, I am still the one he is teaching. Get to know more about Jeff and his mission under my Know Buddy list; Freedom Isn't Free.

Nominate a KNOW BUDDY of your's! Wouldn't someone you know like to know they have made a difference? We all thankfully have them and sometimes we are fortunate enough to be them.