Blind.

On campus this week there was an exibit called "Eyes Wide Open." Across the walkways and greenspace there were shoes and boots representing the lives that have been lost in the Iraq war. You walk to class, to dinner, to a meeting and all you see are these shoes. Shoes of civilians - heels, sneakers, little slippers from a child. Shoes from the troops - with US flags and small namecards. Joe, 30, Arizona. Debbie, 22, Virginia.

And you stop in the middle of a circle of shoes and stare up at the perfect blue sky outlined with bright green leaves and feel the afternoon warmth and you understand for one distinct moment that there is more to life. There is so much more.

Will we ever open our eyes? Will we ever see past what is right before us?

There is so much more to life - as Americans we define ourselves by what we live for.

White picket fences, two kids, a dog.
A doctorate, private practice, high salary.
A novel, fame, fortune.
White sand, beach cottage, retirement fund.
Love.
Happiness.

Men, women, and children are dying each day in a war that most of us have trouble remembering why we began.

I can continue dreaming about white picket fences and white sand beaches, but I'm dreaming, my eyes are closed.

We need to let a little part of ourselves die before we can fully open our eyes to the world around us.

MaryBeth, 20, Ohio.

There is so much more to life - what would we die for?