How Chris got his Groove Back

If "Grizzled Veteran" were a term in the dictionary, a picture of my friend Chris would be next to it. People would approach him, shake his hand, and thank him for being in the military.

Now Chris usually wears a yellow Army jacket when weather turns cold, but when he visited here in early November, though, he was wearing a blue jacket that belonged to his late brother. Apparently, the zipper on his Army jacket broke.

No stranger thanked him for being in the military while he was here in Pennsylvania, nor while we were in New York City.

A plan was formed!

When I was at his house over Thanksgiving, I broke into his car and stole his Army jacket - not as exciting as it sounds, the car was unlocked. The jacket then made a trip back with me to Pennsylvania where it was repaired and dry-cleaned. Then it was wrapped in bubble wrap, put in a box with the lint-roller the dry-cleaner provided. Add some wrapping paper and a bow, and you have a great Christmas gift!

We exchanged gifts at Chris' house in Columbus. He opened the box, was puzzled by the lint-roller, then opened the bubble wrap, and unfolded the jacket. He was speechless for a moment, then tried the zipper.

The day after Christmas, we did dinner and a movie. In the brief time we were out, two complete strangers came up to him, shook his hand, and thanked him for being in the Army.

And that is how Chris got his groove back!