Today's post is focused on my favorite character trait. I've been thinking recently about what draws you to people, why are you friends with certain people, why would you want to "do life" with them. Through this process I've landed on my favorite character trait...it belongs to no other than Matty! So let's all be clear I have hated this trait for the way that it can manifest itself but in the end have found it to be so very precious!I'm not sure if it is defined as integrity...or the determination to never make a promise that can not be kept and to keep every promise ever made no matter the cost. Matt did this so well...and the first time I ever really noticed this as a trait I darn near killed him. In reality he was protecting me from false expectations...flashback to Feb 8, 2005 (yep, it's my birthday) and Matt is about to deploy...I begged him to promise me that he wouldn't die...his response, I love you, but I am not going to make a promise I can't keep. My thoughts - you bastard! At that moment I hated his integrity. But that was who he was, if he promised to do the tiniest thing like call you the next day he did...he was always true to his word and this is a trait that deserves a bit of recognition! Our entire culture could benefit from a bit more of this...no matter how small a promise, stick to it!
2nd Lt. Matthew Scott Coutu
(KIA Baghdad June 27, 2005)
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