As you can see from the image above America’s Mart in Atlanta gave me such a warm welcome… I had a great time at the lecture; it really is a natural high for me to do these talks/book signings because of the lively conversations and interesting feedback I get from the audiences. Thank you Jessie for putting it all together!
Right after the lecture I was rushed off to film a segment for CNNE! We shot the segment at the PDI showroom, which was perfect since it was all about the new and exciting bathroom products that are coming to the marketplace. I highly recommend visiting this showroom if you are in Atlanta.
Lauren from Kohler came down to help out with the shoot and give us all a tutorial on the new Numi toilet, which does everything besides make you coffee in the morning. After 4 hours of shooting the same clips over and over again, we rushed to the airport so I could get on an earlier flight and drive to Montauk when I landed. Although it was a long day I was excited about the shoot and the possibility of doing more with CNNE.
As the plane landed in NYC there was a huge spray of water that hit the plane so when we pulled up to our gate I looked around to see what had caused it. While trying to find the source I saw a hearse pulling up to a Military plane where a woman was standing, crying and carrying an American flag. The pilot told me it was a family receiving their son from Afghanistan. This moment made what I had thought to be such a significant day so trivial. The rest of the weekend I focused on the mother holding the flag, which she would drape over her son’s coffin, it is an image I will never forget.
#1 by Lynn Clapper on August 2, 2011 - 5:52 pm
You are truly a nice guy. Thank you for the sensitive reminder of the sacrifices of our military families.
#2 by J. Hodsdon on August 2, 2011 - 7:43 pm
Okay….that was a jolt we all need from time to time. Thanks for sharing.
#3 by Gary Nelling on August 2, 2011 - 8:45 pm
A high school friend contacted me to share her concerns about her son who volunteered for the military in Iraq and has been injured several times. Though life and limb are intact for him, the long-term effects of his injuries aren’t yet known. I can only imagine the mixed emotions she and her husband feel wondering if their son’s sacrifice and those of many others will be worth the price. The decisions of our elected leaders have repercussions that don’t fall equally on all families. And today’s personal sacrifices are risky investments in a better world that history won’t confirm or deny for some time. Despite questionable judgment in recent wars, we can also recognize that our greatest enemies of the past like Germany, Japan, Italy and Vietnam are now among our most honorable friends and the world is a safer, freer place today for the efforts of our military. I hope the same will be true of Iraq and Afghanistan some day.
So I replied to my friend who like her husband was in public service all her life that their son had his parents same spirit but he chose to contribute to a better world in his own way. There is nothing I could to say to that mother grieving for the loss of her son because to a parent the whole world is correctly not worth their one child, and that’s a lesson we should remember before we march off to war again. – Gary
#4 by Ginger on August 2, 2011 - 11:22 pm
Recently, my husband and I were returning home and missed receiving our “upgrades” by two seats. It was a long flight, we shrugged, probably grumbled “oh well…” and made our way to the rear of the plane. At the end of the flight as the plane pulled up to the jetway – the pilot came on the intercom and asked that all passengers remain seated for a few minutes…Turns out – those last two seats were taken by a pair of military escorts returning home with a young man who had given his life while serving our country. The pilot announced the young man’s name. You could hear a pin drop throughout that 757. No one moved. I watched from my window as the escort supervised the unloading process – and saw them touch up the corners of the flag draped over the casket – just as I would fuss and touch up a client’s curtains…adjusting and making it “just right”. All of the baggage handlers removed their hats and placed their hands over their hearts. It was one of the most moving things that I have ever witnessed and just thinking about it brings giant tears to my eyes. As much as we travel – neither my husband nor I had ever experienced this military ritual. It must have affected other passengers, too, because there was none of the hustle and bustle that happens when getting off a plane. Not a single phone ringing…etc. My perspective changed. That American flag draped over a casket is a painful yet powerful reminder that we truly are the home of the brave men and women who have given their lives so that we may be free.
#5 by Allyson on August 3, 2011 - 1:44 am
Thanks for sharing one of those rare moments when everything seemingly normal is put into perspective. We might be happy, even exuberant and then we come upon somebody who is in the midst of a truly tragic experience. Such a jarring juxtaposition and reminder that happiness is so fleeting!
#6 by Linda on August 3, 2011 - 2:35 am
Vicente,
Thank you.
Our military has no choice in who they work for. They pack up at a moment’s notice, go where ever they are sent and do their job regardless of their personal values and political beliefs. They do it willingly and to the best of their abilities.
As designers, we can choose who we work for.
It is long past the time that we, the people who have a choice, silence the voices of hate that goad our politicians into launching fruitless wars. Wars that gain nothing more than the deaths of thousands of our men and women. Wars that give Mothers a flag in place of their child.
If we could pass a law that required a family member of every Senator and Congress member to go off to war they voted for, how many wars do you think we’d launch?
#7 by design elements on August 3, 2011 - 7:15 am
w o n d e r f u l!
#8 by Patricia Don DIego on August 4, 2011 - 3:09 pm
Well, that made me cry, thanks for sharing a story like this.
#9 by cecilia on August 5, 2011 - 4:07 pm
Tears in my eyes as well. Life is precious. Our military – honorable and selfless. The cool Numi toilet may seem trivial, but don’t discount your happiness from your day of meeting with people. Life is about the people in our lives – and you have touched and inspired many.