Comparatively Speaking

I left at 6:30 for the 7 pm meeting. I wanted to be early to find a seat near the speaker. As I crossed over the bridge on the westside of town I could see the traffic lights ahead were red. Something must have happened. The lights were not changing. I could see a policeman directing traffic. He was letting all of the opposite traffic come through; police cars, fire engines, official cars and then motorcycles, hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles as if there was no end to them. By this time I was truly angry. What was the traffic policeman thinkng? Those cyclists could stop as well as we. They were causing me to miss a very important meeting. The mystery was solved this morning when the newpaper arrives. The police were leading an entourage of people intent on honoring some of the good folks who had lost their lives in the service of their country. I had been caught in traffic by The Traveling Viet Nam memorial war replica. They were setting up the wall and there would be five days of events and speakers. I felt the tears start as I read the piece. These heroes had given their lives and I had begrudged them a few minutes. Soldiers, firemen, policemen, where would we be without them? I am clearing my calendar. I have more important events to attend these next five days. By: Joyce Johnson