the loneliest number

I spent four years, give or take, at Miami University being involved heavily with Campus Crusade for Christ. And during that time, I learned any number of things that I've since left by the wayside, having judged them to be unhelpful in living life in the world outside of Miami University. It's possible that we may return to a discussion of what some of those things are at a later time but today is about applicable information.

One thing that I learned that I still believe to be true, absolutely and without question, is that human beings, were created (which I also still believe) to be together. In fact, I think it's possible that every created thing was meant to have it's partner. I'm not talking about boyfriends and girlfriends, or husbands and wives, or romance or sex. I'm just talking about having someone or something around to relate to, to be in a relationship with.

I live in a lonely place and I lead a lonely life. I'm a Sergeant in the United States Army, living in upstate New York, in a place that may never have been meant to support human life. I spent 16 months in a combat zone in Afghanistan. My best friend only lives six hours away but it's certainly too far to spend very much time together. And thus far the only people up here that seem to be willing to talk to me much are the guys that I work with, who I generally try to steer clear of in social situations for various reasons.

I don't say all of this for pity or sympathy or any reaction of any kind from anyone. The background information was only meant to make illustrate my point. We need other people. I've rebelled against that idea for most of my life but there's really no getting around it. I often joke and say that I either want to find girlfriend or get a new puppy. I'm almost certain that the puppy would make for a much simpler life but people need people. I have a whole host of thoughts, and sometimes even feelings, that often find no outlet other than this computer screen.

It was John Donne who said, "No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee." So I hope now that, if anyone still reads this blog, we can constantly remind ourselves not to take the people in our lives for granted or any person anywhere.