In the Army now...

So last night I was sitting in my hotel and I decided I was hungry. There I was, sitting in my clothes becuase I was to exhausted to get out of my clothing. I put on my shoes and I managed to muster the strength to wonder the halls and go downstairs to the front desk and see what they had, which wasnt much. You know the standard, junk food, bottled water and typical hygiene products. After much thought, which was actually like 3 minutes, I decided on a very healthy ice cream cone. Good choice, I thought. Anyway I digress, after paying I made my way back to the elevator to head back to my room. There was a kid going up to the floor that I was on. He looked to be 18-19 max and as first glance he could have been mistaken to a freshman in highschool. He looked at me, and me not so much at him. I was tired, I couldnt be bothered. He asked me if I was military and I knew the reason for asking. I had figured out that the hotel served as a holding cell for new recruits eading off to battle themselves, our enemy and maybe each other. The kid asked me if I were military, to which I replied "no". I left it at that, not mentioning the fact that I was once where he was at. I asked if he was, and he proudly but with a hint of fear in his voice that he was leaving for basic training the next day in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. For a moment, I thought do I offer advice of things to do and not to do. No, I thought.. He needs to figure these things out for himself. So as I rounded the corner to head to my room I only offered, "Good luck and thanks.." The thanks did nothing more than to boost an ego that was in desperate need of boosting. I know the days and nights and the moments of doubt that lay ahead for him. Gone are the days of high school and the little cares that go with it. I walked to my room remembering that that was me.
Here I am on a business trip, a world away from where I was when I was 18 and things have changed. I guess that this is the ebbs and flows of life. You learn, you love and you lose. Am I cynical, your damn right... So as he faces his challenges, his wars and battles. I face my own albeit not on an actual battle field but rather others areas. The same as we all face but to some end it seems as though there will be no resolve, today tomorrow or ever. I can lie and say that there will be but I am not as deluded as to do so. I will just keep my mouth shut and carry on.