365: Red; March 25, Red, White and Blue: a metaphore

Some years ago, my youngest met a very nice young man at a wedding. In Texas. Not many months later, she saw this young man again, and then again at a second wedding a year later, and then again on a stopover in his city during one of his rare visits there. Said young man is a pilot in the US Air force and was, at the time, stationed at the base in Del Rio, which is five miles north of the Mexican border, in Texas.

I found out said young man not only existed but was starting to look like a permanent fixture by round about means: my daughter told me she'd got her first credit card. I gave her the "pay it off in full every month," speech, at which point she said yes, she had $600 on the card but would pay it off in full. Several questions followed: "HOW did you get $600 on there already? "I bought a flight and rented a car."
"What? A flight to where?"
"San Antonio, and then I'm driving to Del Rio."
"WHY are you going there?"
"To see my boyfriend."
"WHAT boyfriend??"
"David. He's a pilot in training. He's stationed in Del Rio."
....

Anyway. I've recovered. David is lovely. They're engaged and wedding is in planning for next year.

The thing above: David sent this from Afghanistan, where he has been for six months, doing his second tour as a reconnaissance pilot. At the top, an officially-folded US flag and at bottom, a certificate attesting to the flag having been on board and flown in my and my spouse's honour on February 10 2014, and signed by David and three others.

It's the most extraordinary gift I am sure I will ever receive.

I am bemused to note the red part of this flag is hidden inside a locked case. I know it is contrary to think this way but it represents the spilled American, Canadian, Afghan, and British blood and how much of that reality I think we are not really aware of. It's ironic the red isn't showing, as it is a significant part of the whole.

This thing was made in and travelled from Afghanistan to New York and then to my city. The glass did not survive and the surface of the matting is scarred, all of which contributes to the overall irony.