David Nathaniel Berger You are 26! Already a remarkable life lies behind you – forming you – a foundation for what is to come. There are lines I could write that express our love for you and our respect for you. Long poems written with words like respect, honor, and admiration. Your Magna Cum Laude degree from the Barrett Honors College at ASU, your 20 weeks service at the American Consulate in Milan, Italy, and mastery of the Italian language. Your work with the American Red Cross. Your acceptance of a Peace Corps appointment to serve in the remote bush of Luapula Province, Zambia, and you accomplishments there, like becoming fluent in the Bemba language, and saving lives. Your new appointment as a provincial Peace Corps leader… Your writing, your creativity, your willingness to give of yourself and love others… That is the poetry you have written with deeds and commitment. For your home leave, we went deep into the mountains of our home state, Colorado, the four of us, touching the sky and earth we love so dearly. We spent hours cramped into our Crew Cab truck and discovered Fall as it sent feelers of snow among the brilliant Aspen leaves and the rain-brightened hillsides. We love to be together and travel together. That closeness started on trips to Mexico where you learned the beach and tidal pools, then when you were 8 and we spent a year exploring Europe with backpacks and no set agenda. And it continued when you were 10, as we trailered a year exploring the Eastern and Southern US. It continued as you and Alex explored Ireland, Scotland and Italy. It got even better as you, Mom and I traveled Northern Italy and discovered Croatia. Then you continued alone to know Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and points North to Poland and then West to Ireland. At 24, you were ready for all the challenges surviving in remote Africa would bring. Ready, but not prepared to handle human suffering or the pain of others, or a diet without protein, or the lonely isolation among the 10,000 people you served. This is the poetry of your drive and commitment. This is the life of MAN who is engaged and aware. We honor you and know your 26th year is set to explode. Love you Son, Happy Birthday, POP
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:07:09 +0000
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