A Brother's Words; A Sister's Thoughts by Cindy Campbell

Do you have moments in life that make you ask yourself, are you kidding me? Shortly after my brother was killed, I had one of those moments. Learning that Chris left a wish that 100,000 people would donate to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) fit the "are you kidding me?" criteria, in a big way! I had never heard of WWP before August 6th, 2011. My google search made my heart fill with pride as I started going through the website. They serve ALL branches of the military and ALL ranks. Race, religion or gender does not matter! If someone served in the military after 9/11, the programs and services offered by WWP are there for them. The organization exists "to help foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history".  My brother, a little kid from a town in North Carolina, grew up to be a member of one of the most elite military forces, and in spite of that, retained a sense of compassion for others as he considered his ...

Life provides many opportunities to reflect. Birthdays are one such occasion. Today, September 16th, is my brother's birthday. As I have reread his letters to share them with you over this past year, I have been astounded at the many life lessons Chris passed along to me. In the spirit of celebrating his life and what would have been his 48th birthday, I present to you... 48 lessons from my brother, who became a Navy SEAL. 1.  Live in the moment - unexpected scenarios will arise. 2.  Be present - opportunities for joy exist.  3.  Play - every minute is precious. 4.  Stay active - you'll live longer. 5.  Be comfortable being alone - some of the best times are spent in solace. 6.  Don't follow the crowd - adventure awaits. 7.  Notice the beauty around you - it's everywhere. 8.  Define your happy place - enjoy it. 9.  Live life unregretfully - make choices that will help you achieve your goals. 10. Have fun - time passes quickly. 11. Connec...