Coming Home

So we were driving home from my parents' house on Saturday and somehow made a wrong turn (we've driven this drive hundreds of times... how we made a "wrong turn" is obviously an act of God...) We ended up taking 124 into Snellville, and as we're driving, we notice that the streets are lined with families, most holding American flags. Now it's mid-July, a full year away from the 4th or Memorial Day... we were so confused. Until we saw a sign: "Welcome Home Cpl. Ayers" So as we near Ronald Reagan, we see a police car, sitting with his light on, and some big commotion up ahead. We naturally decide to pull over and get out, to see what's going on, and a few other people do the same and join us. We're expecting that someone is returning from Iraq, and we're proud to watch this celebration, anxious to see him and his family. As the procession nears though, I notice what's leading it- a hearse.

The hearse is followed by at least 100 men and women on Harley's, some with army flags flying, all with American flags at the rear of their bikes. One rider looks at us and gives the side wave, mouthing "thank you" as we stand on the street. He didn't know what was ahead- people waiting in red and blue, holding American flags and a "welcome home" sign. These were the people to thank- those who knew the story and were here in support.

I returned to the car completely changed. I think David was scared out of his mind watching me stand there crying for a man I had never met. But it wasn't that I was sad or scared- I was proud. This man, Corporal Ayers, did something with his life, and at his death, people lined the street celebrating his service and sacrifice. And what does it say about a man to have hundreds follow behind his hearse in love and support? I knew that this was a family I wanted to be a part of- a family we are proud and excited to join.

I expected Cpl. Ayers to be older, maybe even retired army, as the bikers all seemed to be in their 50s at least. But when we researched him when we got home, we found a different story entirely. Army Cpl. Jonathan Ayers was David's age, and he graduated from Shiloh- the high school that I graduated from. He was killed in Afghanistan on Friday July 18 with eight other men in one of the deadliest attacks on US troops since the 2001 invasion.

Learning about Cpl. Ayers' death reminds me that we are given one life, and we're given that life for a purpose. It's not about survival, but living. Cpl. Ayers lived only 24 years- David's age- a time where we feel like we're just getting started. But he did big things with his time. He worked to change an entire country, to protect HIS country back home. I know that not everyone has to serve in the military to find purpose- for my friend Callie, she changes the world through nursing. For our friend Tyler, I think he'll find purpose in music. For me, I believe it's photography. But for David, I believe this is where he's finding his purpose. I have already seen a change in him- a desire to be there, to get started. I'm not scared for him (I'm sure at some point I will be!), but I am proud and excited. And so ready.

So to Cpl. Ayers, thank you for your service and sacrifice. And thank you for reminding me what it looks like to do something with the time you are given. I pray that the "Welcome Home" sign reads true- that you're home with your real Dad, experiencing what freedom really is.

"Each of these heroes stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase in its blessings."
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt