I Run for Army Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer B. Domeij

I signed up for the wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day event. (You might remember me mentioning wear blue: run to remember in the Marine Corps Marathon.) The goal was to have 10,000 people running at least one mile, and I committed to run five. Each runner was assigned a soldier who has died in the Global War on Terror, and I was assigned Kristoffer B. Domeij. In 2011, at the age of 29, he died of "wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device." Wikipedia tells me he holds the record for the elite ranger with the most deployments--14-- to be killed in action. Wow.

When I talked to RWD, who is 29 now, about the run and my assigned soldier, he commented that 29 is actually kind of old for a soldier in Afghanistan. How can it be that there are so many men and women RWD's age and younger who make these tremendous sacrifices for our country? With our wedding only a few weeks away, I struggle with the idea that as we are just beginning our lives together, so many people are unable to have those same experiences and joys. I am truly in awe of their sacrifices.

As yesterday was Memorial Day, the plan was to run last night, but that was derailed by the tornado watch/warning and ensuing rain that struck my town. I went out this morning instead. Although I am a dedicated run/walker, my goal was to run the five miles straight. With people out there giving their lives, the least I could do is run five miles...right?

Halfway through, the fact that I had not eaten breakfast began to settle in. I was hungry, and all I brought with me was a bottle of water. I was in the middle of a neighborhood where I didn't know anyone, so I decided to alternate jogging and walking every quarter mile for the rest of my outing. Proudly, I finished the run for Sgt. Domeij.

Although I reflected on many things as I ran this morning, perhaps the most staggering to me is the comfort I am afforded thanks to the freedom that is protected by the men and women who serve our country. 

When the weather was bad last night, I didn't have to go out in it. 

When I was tired, I could stop and walk. 

When I was hungry, there was food waiting at the end of my route. 

When I was thirsty, I had a bottle of clean water to drink.

Of course, I am also thankful for the ability to run. It is an honor to run for someone who gives the ultimate sacrifice for people like me.  

Late Night Thoughts for the Class of 2015

I've been thinking a lot about gifts lately. RWD and I are now just three weeks away from our wedding, and we have been receiving packages in the mail each week since we sent invitations. I love getting presents as a visual, tangible reminder of the person who gave me the gift. Currently, many of our wedding gifts are stacked together waiting to be sorted out, but each giver has a box. I love being able to look into a box and know exactly who sent its contents.

It is not surprising, then, that I love the fact that working in education allows me to compartmentalize things into school years. Quite easily, I can separately file away the events of one year and the members of each class in my brain, which can be quite handy. I also enjoy having the summer time to rejuvenate before the school year starts again. Although time goes by faster and faster, I try not to let the years run together.

Tomorrow, I will wrap up my time with the Class of 2015. This week has been filled with events, meals, and parties to celebrate the accomplishments of some outstanding young men and women and send them off to the next part of life on a positive note. Just this week, we've had a banquet, a breakfast, and a party, not to mention the official ceremonies! One of my favorite events each year is my school's Senior Recognition Ceremony, because I love seeing my students celebrate together and get recognized for their years of hard work. I am always tremendously proud of them. They deserve it.

Just after midnight, I met the seniors from my floor by the front desk in our regalia to celebrate it finally being graduation day. Seeing my girls in their regalia made me so excited. Even though this has not been the easiest year of my job -- Were any of them ever easy? -- I have had a great group of seniors, and I am so proud of all of them. To continue the gift idea, I finally feel like we are tying the bow on a lovely package.

Of course, things are not quite that simple. My own life is testament to the fact that things will not always stay separated into neat little boxes, no matter how hard I try. In a few weeks, all of those wedding gifts will be out of their boxes and spread throughout the home RWD and I will build together. When everything is integrated into our household, I will still remember who sent the bath sheets I cried about on Match Day and that one of RWD's fraternity brothers purchased our silverware. In a few months, my seniors will all head in different directions to become better versions of themselves and make their marks on the world, but they will still remember their high school experiences. Those experiences will affect their decision making and impact their lives long after the mortarboards hit the ground in a few hours. While the idea of neat, compartmentalized boxes is appealing as an idea, it is not realistic or even the best way to approach life; if we do not allow our years, relationships, and experiences to overlap, we cannot give to others the best versions of ourselves.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015. You have been a gift to me just by being yourselves. Now go out there and save the world...but don't dance with boys!