Merriam-Wester’s dictionary defines “good” as a (1) :of a favorable character or tendency good news (2) :free from injury or disease (3) :well-founded, cogent good reasons (4) :true holds good for society at large (5) :deserving of respect :honorable in good standing (5) :legally valid or effectual good title.
Sunday, October 1st, 2017, 59 people were killed and 241 people were injured while attending the three day country music concert in Las Vegas.
I along with most of the county work up the next morning to learning about this horrific and deadly act of violence. Nothing felt good about Monday, October 2nd, 2017.
Then a few hours later, I receive a simple text chain between four high school besties. Kim’s text read, “Just to lighten the mood of this terrible day, it's the 35th anniversary of Rambo!! Remember how much I loved him? I even won a framed poster of Rambo at the 4th of July carnival and took it to my college dorm room.”
The small text reconnected me with three women, Karen, Kristy, and Kim, whom I love. I don't see them often enough as they live across the country. It quickly began a chain of replies including photos of the above-mentioned Rambo poster. A photo from Karen’s dorm room that pictured an inflatable bean shaped Rambo punching bag weighted down with sand.
I vividly remember October 3, 1982, and going to see Rambo at the Avon Theater in my small hometown with my girlfriends. The Avon is just off the Town Square, has only one screen and sells freshly popped popcorn with real butter. It was a night of fun for all of us. A school night movie was rare occasion. It was a mid-week chance to skip chores, neglect homework, and hope that the boy I had a crush on might be a Sylvester Stallone fan too!
My love for my girlfriends and the fun of that evening is seared in my memory. At the time, the best part of Rambo for me was it was the first time I sat in the balcony and ate buttered popcorn as Sly Stallone's macho persona gagged me. I've always been more of a lover than a fighter. Little did we know, three years later when we left for college us eager girls would take very different paths starting with which matinee Idols adorned our college dorm room. 
I am grateful Karen, Kristy, and Kim are in my life. I'm grateful for the memory of a carefree evening of teenage girls who grew up in the 1980’s innocence of a small town. I am grateful Kim sent a small text that brought a smile to my face on a sad day in the history of America.
We can still remember and know good in times of tragedy. Today my “good” was reconnecting with three long lost friends.
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