[here's an email I sent to Jon S. earlier today]
Hey Jonathan:
I tried to return your call you but you didn't answer your phone.
Anyway, I wanted to tell you a couple of things before you go to Iraq tomorrow. First sweetie, don't be a hero or take too great risks - if bullets start to fly - duck, run or both, and don't gamble on luck. Medals don't look good on dead people. Second, don't allow yourself the luxury of relaxing, or feeling too at home, remember that you'll be in a war-zone - staying alert means staying alive. Ya sabes, camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente. Third, don't ever forget that you are a sweet, bright, young man who's full of potential and who has a whole lot of life in front of him. You are a hopeless romantic (who will make some woman the happiest alive someday), with a heart of gold too large to possibly fit in your manly chest - that's how I see you. When they make you do things that go against your nature, when you see things that you don't like or disturb you, if you ever start to feel blue about the whole situation in which you may find yourself; hold on to that sense of injustice, anger or that something is wrong, don't drown out those feelings of disgust or sadness/melancholy - as those feelings will keep your heart intact, hence, you human, and as the man that I see when I think of you. Fourth, no hay mal que dure mil a?os. Although slowly, time will eventually change things, remember where ever you may find yourself at the moment, that it is just part-way of the long journey still ahead of you. When you have a quiet chance use it to look to the future, think of your dreams, and the ones you love - these thoughts will help pass the time and keep the fire of your hopes alive. Fifth and last, pray; for yourself, your parents, relatives, friends, the world in which we all live, the mind-sets of those in power to be blessed us with another day, each day, until the day when we can all chill on a beach like Puerto Plata (that one is my favorite), on a perfect sunny cloudless day, without a care in the world, drinking a couple of heladas, listening to some kick-a$$ tunes, everyone together (yea! even Bush & Chaney can come!) getting along in peace, health, tolerance and operation for the greater good as God and Jesus intended it to be. I may be a rational, analitical, logical type of thinking person, but hey what do I really know? In a total departure from my way of thinking, I do believe in something/someone larger than us, who knows the answers to why and how babies smell sooooo good, flowers are so beautiful, and an emotion called love (if we gave it a chance) can make the world go round.
For now do what you have to do hermano and do it well. When you get back I'll still be here, we'll shoot the breeze again (maybe drink some Presidentes). If you have forgotten or lost the person who you were - I will not have forgotten him, so I promise I'll help you remember and bring him back too.
your friend,
Vilma (Hormiga)
Hey Jonathan:
I tried to return your call you but you didn't answer your phone.
Anyway, I wanted to tell you a couple of things before you go to Iraq tomorrow. First sweetie, don't be a hero or take too great risks - if bullets start to fly - duck, run or both, and don't gamble on luck. Medals don't look good on dead people. Second, don't allow yourself the luxury of relaxing, or feeling too at home, remember that you'll be in a war-zone - staying alert means staying alive. Ya sabes, camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente. Third, don't ever forget that you are a sweet, bright, young man who's full of potential and who has a whole lot of life in front of him. You are a hopeless romantic (who will make some woman the happiest alive someday), with a heart of gold too large to possibly fit in your manly chest - that's how I see you. When they make you do things that go against your nature, when you see things that you don't like or disturb you, if you ever start to feel blue about the whole situation in which you may find yourself; hold on to that sense of injustice, anger or that something is wrong, don't drown out those feelings of disgust or sadness/melancholy - as those feelings will keep your heart intact, hence, you human, and as the man that I see when I think of you. Fourth, no hay mal que dure mil a?os. Although slowly, time will eventually change things, remember where ever you may find yourself at the moment, that it is just part-way of the long journey still ahead of you. When you have a quiet chance use it to look to the future, think of your dreams, and the ones you love - these thoughts will help pass the time and keep the fire of your hopes alive. Fifth and last, pray; for yourself, your parents, relatives, friends, the world in which we all live, the mind-sets of those in power to be blessed us with another day, each day, until the day when we can all chill on a beach like Puerto Plata (that one is my favorite), on a perfect sunny cloudless day, without a care in the world, drinking a couple of heladas, listening to some kick-a$$ tunes, everyone together (yea! even Bush & Chaney can come!) getting along in peace, health, tolerance and operation for the greater good as God and Jesus intended it to be. I may be a rational, analitical, logical type of thinking person, but hey what do I really know? In a total departure from my way of thinking, I do believe in something/someone larger than us, who knows the answers to why and how babies smell sooooo good, flowers are so beautiful, and an emotion called love (if we gave it a chance) can make the world go round.
For now do what you have to do hermano and do it well. When you get back I'll still be here, we'll shoot the breeze again (maybe drink some Presidentes). If you have forgotten or lost the person who you were - I will not have forgotten him, so I promise I'll help you remember and bring him back too.
your friend,
Vilma (Hormiga)