"So that Others may Live"

I thought a long time what i would write in this specific post. The post that concluded the two and half year milestone that i stand behind today. I describe those past two and a half years in many ways, but some of the words that come to my mind first are; yearning, struggle, failure, success and humbleness. 

My idea of what was in front of me when i made the decision to come over two years ago was so simple and naive. I could never have imagined the amount of work, effort, and sacrifice it was going to take. What suffering i would have to endure and at what physical and mental costs i was looking at. Today i can say that i do understand, in the most personal way because after it all here i am. I finished. 

But really this "finish' is the beginning. The beginning of something incredible and amazing. its the beginning of my opportunity to save lives and help people in a way that no one else can. This is an honor and a privilege, and i know as much as i try to understand i cannot until the day that it becomes real for the first time. 

Im sure everyone realizes at some level what it means to rescue someone. However i doubt and am quite sure that not many reading this blog know that it means to be somone's "only chance." That is the duty and privilege that I, and all the others with me, have taken upon ourselves. They (the commanders) have been telling us this from the very beginning. "there is no one else except us." When we go out there are no second chances and there is nobody else to call. We cannot fail, because there is no one to pick up after us. This is their motto, and when it becomes real i'm sure that responsibility will sit heavy on our shoulders. 

Andrew Edward Solomon. That's the name i started the army with. Now im EEnDRRU! or some form of that. No one can pronounce my name. As much as I insist on them trying, unfortunately,  i think thats one of the sacrifices i talked about before. :) But seriously, I have changed in the last 74 weeks. (thats the number of weeks i trained). Learned to take things in stride; and by things i mean; EVERYTHING. Whether you finish walking 40km in the pouring rain and sleet. No warm clothes. No food. Nothing is dry. You are in the first FEW stages of hypothermia and they say after 2.5 days of that. Okay your done. AND as soon as you take off your boots sopping wet and shirt. They come onto the bus and say."3 minutes and you guys are going back out." These are the moments that we are really tested. Can you find it within yourself to stand up put the sopping wet shirt back on, the pants and shoes slogged with mud, sweat and rain and go back down. To elevate yourself from one of the lowest points of your life and prevail. That is one lesson i have learned. (over and over again i might add). 

It is also about the people around you. To learn to love and learn them. To rely on them whenever you need them. They are your only family out there and over this period that is what they have become. My family. They were there every step of the way, in the bad the horrible and the gruesome. And all of us together smiled after it and said "we did it, together." That is family. 

Shavua Tov to everyone. hope everyone is enjoying the sumer weather.

Andrew