Brothers:
pl. often breth·ren (brthrn) One who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, especially:
A kinsman.
A fellow man.
A fellow member, as of a fraternity, trade union, or panel of judges on a court.
A close male friend; a comrade.
So I have been watching "Band of Brothers" with my parents. For those of you who are not aware of this remarkable piece of cinema, it's the story of the 506th E (Easy) Company and it's troops, and their involvement in World War II. They were usually at the very front line, as paratroopers, and doing most of the US Army's dirty work. Taking the largest hits, most casualties, gaining the most ground, losing the most friends.
And I can't help but see a corralation in that and everyday life. These men bonded over the worst, most horrid possible conditions. They fought to the death, to serve OUR country and protect each other. They weren't comrades, or friends, or fellow soldiers. They were Brothers, in every sense of the word. When things got hard, they didn't split up, or argue, or fist fight. They didn't talk shit about each other, or lie or be two-faced. They didn't fool around with each other's girl, or try to one-up each other.
They held each other up. In the face of humongeous adversity.
When things get really nasty, who can you really count on? Who is going to be there, in the foxhole with you when the bullets whiz past and the mortars are raining down like a monsoon?
Ask yourself something. Are you the kind of person who trudges forward in tough circumstances? Do you hold your friend up? Do you risk being harmed yourself in order to pull them out of harm's way?
I used to think I was that kind of person. I realized that I lack the honor and integrity to do that sort of thing. Put others ahead of myself. Be respectful of those around me, and have integrity. I lacked those qualities. I had become so self-absorbed and wallowing in my own pity and despair, that I had become manipulative and destructive all in the name of lying to myself in order to convince myself that I was that kind of person.
I have ruined so many relationships. Some way more important than others.
I had a very long talk with my old man this weekend. He did something I thought he would never ever do. He reached across the battlefield and pulled me into the foxhole. He gave me a second chance. Never will I take advantage of that again.
Am I a good person? Am I honorable? Am I worthy of being called a "Brother"?
No. But Goddamnit. I sure am gonna try.
A kinsman.
A fellow man.
A fellow member, as of a fraternity, trade union, or panel of judges on a court.
A close male friend; a comrade.
So I have been watching "Band of Brothers" with my parents. For those of you who are not aware of this remarkable piece of cinema, it's the story of the 506th E (Easy) Company and it's troops, and their involvement in World War II. They were usually at the very front line, as paratroopers, and doing most of the US Army's dirty work. Taking the largest hits, most casualties, gaining the most ground, losing the most friends.
And I can't help but see a corralation in that and everyday life. These men bonded over the worst, most horrid possible conditions. They fought to the death, to serve OUR country and protect each other. They weren't comrades, or friends, or fellow soldiers. They were Brothers, in every sense of the word. When things got hard, they didn't split up, or argue, or fist fight. They didn't talk shit about each other, or lie or be two-faced. They didn't fool around with each other's girl, or try to one-up each other.
They held each other up. In the face of humongeous adversity.
When things get really nasty, who can you really count on? Who is going to be there, in the foxhole with you when the bullets whiz past and the mortars are raining down like a monsoon?
Ask yourself something. Are you the kind of person who trudges forward in tough circumstances? Do you hold your friend up? Do you risk being harmed yourself in order to pull them out of harm's way?
I used to think I was that kind of person. I realized that I lack the honor and integrity to do that sort of thing. Put others ahead of myself. Be respectful of those around me, and have integrity. I lacked those qualities. I had become so self-absorbed and wallowing in my own pity and despair, that I had become manipulative and destructive all in the name of lying to myself in order to convince myself that I was that kind of person.
I have ruined so many relationships. Some way more important than others.
I had a very long talk with my old man this weekend. He did something I thought he would never ever do. He reached across the battlefield and pulled me into the foxhole. He gave me a second chance. Never will I take advantage of that again.
Am I a good person? Am I honorable? Am I worthy of being called a "Brother"?
No. But Goddamnit. I sure am gonna try.