As I sit and reflect on this our country, United States of America, I am reminded of how this great Nation came about. Going all the way back to 1776, or sooner, people have been protecting us and our country. Many lives have been lost here on American soil as well as in foreign lands.
Many of those lost on foreign soil have never returned home. Brave men and women, have paid the price for protecting this country and it's "Freedom". Many have been injured either physically and/or mentally. Their lives will never be the same.
Wars and fighting change a person and the way they look at things and the world as a whole. Some of the brave men and women that have suffered for this Nation, will continue to do so until they, too, are laid to rest. Then there are those that are able to continue the fight, even in peace time, in order to ensure the United States is protected and that freedom remains throughout the land.
Yes, on this Memorial Weekend, I ask only one small thing, please pray or say "thank you" for that solider that has given their life, the solider that has given a piece of themselves, and the soldiers that are still protecting us and our country all over the world. Some are and have been away from their families and still have the courage to continue to serve in order for us to be protected. Not knowing from one day to the next if they will be fighting against someone or fighting for their life due to injury.
"Thank you to the men and women that serve and have served this Nation. I, personally thank you for allowing me the comfort of a safe place to live. Being able to lay down at night and have a peaceful sleep, while you are in conditions that may be far worst than any I can imagine. It is because of you that I write this and am able to publish it with no threat to me, for the Constitution (right now) protects me and you serve to protect that Constitution."
"Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families have made and are still making today. I can never, no matter how hard I try, be able to thank you enough. I will never be able to shake your hand and say simply "thank you and God bless".
As I sit here and reflect on the "true" meaning of Memorial Day, I shed a few tears and whisper a few small prayers of gratitude for men and women I do not know, but know they are there protecting me and what is mine.
So, thank you for the things that you do, have done or will do in the future in order for me to say I live in a country that is free and I am proud of it.
Thank you!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Thank You Just Doesn't Seem to be Enough
May we all take just a moment of time to say "Thank You" to the men and women of this nation that protect it's many citizens so we may be free. And this is just from me, how I see it. Many young men and women are not made to join the Armed Forces, but join from their own choice. They have made the decision to protect, no matter what the cost to them, this country and its people.
So many have given their lives for us and this country. How can you not want to say "Thank You" for such a selfless act? No one held a gun to their heads and said you have to go to war. They knew, the moment they were sworn in, that there would always be that chance. Thou none of us ever wanted that to happen, it has.
So many, with families, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children of all ages, have answered the call of duty to defend this country. The sorrow that runs throughout many of their families today because they did a selfless act of protecting those of us that live here. How dare we not thank them!
How dare we sit in our living rooms and past judgment on these very men and women that had the calling to protect us no matter what the cost. They, though it was difficult, packed up and went to the battle fields. Most, I imagine, scared to death knowing that they may never return to see their loved ones. They left their wives, husbands, sons and daughters, how dare we not Thank Them!
How dare we sit in judgment over them! It is not our place to judge anyone, especially ones that volunteered to protect us beyond any cost to them. It makes my heart heavy to see and hear people say things like "Well, I didn't send you there." "It's not my fault." "You knew what you were signing up for when you signed up."
How dare we not welcome them back home. Instead we call them names and turn our backs on them, how dare we!!!
As I stated at the begin of this, "Thank You", each and everyone of you for doing what I can not do for myself. For doing what many of us cannot do for ourselves. Thank you for your courage, love, dedication, and sacrifice. You have given me more than just protection, freedom, and peace of mind, you have given me a place that I can lie down at night and sleep. A place that is safe to raise my children and teach them about the great sacrifices you have made.
My heart is so heavy with the flood of emotions right at this very moment to think that there are mothers and fathers that have lost their children and the children that have lost their mothers and fathers. Some of who are so small that they may never remember their parents and how much they loved them.
How dare anyone that calls themselves an American not say "Thank You, you and your act of duty are greatly appreciated!" This is the least we can do.
So, please, during this weekend that has been set aside in honor of our heroes and their sacrifices, please tell them in some way "Thank You". You may have soldiers in your family or your friends. If we can just look them in the eyes and say from the deepest part of our being just how grateful we are to them for the job that they do protecting us everyday of our lives. Is that really too much to ask ?...
So many have given their lives for us and this country. How can you not want to say "Thank You" for such a selfless act? No one held a gun to their heads and said you have to go to war. They knew, the moment they were sworn in, that there would always be that chance. Thou none of us ever wanted that to happen, it has.
So many, with families, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children of all ages, have answered the call of duty to defend this country. The sorrow that runs throughout many of their families today because they did a selfless act of protecting those of us that live here. How dare we not thank them!
How dare we sit in our living rooms and past judgment on these very men and women that had the calling to protect us no matter what the cost. They, though it was difficult, packed up and went to the battle fields. Most, I imagine, scared to death knowing that they may never return to see their loved ones. They left their wives, husbands, sons and daughters, how dare we not Thank Them!
How dare we sit in judgment over them! It is not our place to judge anyone, especially ones that volunteered to protect us beyond any cost to them. It makes my heart heavy to see and hear people say things like "Well, I didn't send you there." "It's not my fault." "You knew what you were signing up for when you signed up."
How dare we not welcome them back home. Instead we call them names and turn our backs on them, how dare we!!!
As I stated at the begin of this, "Thank You", each and everyone of you for doing what I can not do for myself. For doing what many of us cannot do for ourselves. Thank you for your courage, love, dedication, and sacrifice. You have given me more than just protection, freedom, and peace of mind, you have given me a place that I can lie down at night and sleep. A place that is safe to raise my children and teach them about the great sacrifices you have made.
My heart is so heavy with the flood of emotions right at this very moment to think that there are mothers and fathers that have lost their children and the children that have lost their mothers and fathers. Some of who are so small that they may never remember their parents and how much they loved them.
How dare anyone that calls themselves an American not say "Thank You, you and your act of duty are greatly appreciated!" This is the least we can do.
So, please, during this weekend that has been set aside in honor of our heroes and their sacrifices, please tell them in some way "Thank You". You may have soldiers in your family or your friends. If we can just look them in the eyes and say from the deepest part of our being just how grateful we are to them for the job that they do protecting us everyday of our lives. Is that really too much to ask ?...
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
My Daughter - My Most Precious Gift
My daughter, my most precious gift. Twenty-six years ago today, God gave me such a blessing that words cannot describe the love that I have for her or Him. There are many things that I cannot remember of my past, but this gift I will remember until the day I die. What a wonderful and precious gift of a child being born and a girl at that.
The evening before your birth, your dad, myself and your grandmother Loftin were all at a softball game. Your dad's team had a game and I had fixed supper for us to enjoy during the game. BBQ chicken, potato salad and green beans. I can't remember if we won or lost that game, I guess it is because I was so preoccupied with the discomfort I was felling because you were on your way, but I did not realize that until later.
Your grandmother had come down because it was getting close to time for you to make your appearance and I knew that I would need her there. She and I had, it seemed, walked for miles and miles the week before. That is suppose to be good for you and the birth so we walked. She knew something that I had no idea of and that was you were on your way into this world.
Around midnight, I woke up and told your dad that I thought it was time. He, your grandmother and myself loaded into the small Mazda S 10 pickup truck and headed to the hospital, Womack Ft Bragg. Yes, you were born at the army hospital the next morning around 10 am. That was a trip that we all took together that I don't think any of us will ever forget. I had to have the heat on one minute and then the air conditioner on the next. Not to mention that this truck was a straight drive with the gear stick in the floor. Okay, you will have to use your imagination from there.
It wasn't long after we arrived at the hospital, that we were sure you were ready to make your appearance into the world. And when you did, everyone knew you were hear. You were yelling at the top of your little lungs and letting everyone know, you had arrived.
Nicole you are the most precious gift God has ever given me. You have turned into an awesome young woman that knows what she wants and how to get it. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you and how proud I am of you. You have accomplished so much and you have just gotten started good. No parent could be more proud.
My daughter, my most precious gift, you are as strong as you are beautiful. Knowing that you are working at the main thing that has been your passion all your life. The children and young adults that you are teaching and trying to prepare them for what lies ahead are blessed to have you as their teacher.
Also, I know that you have met and married such a precious young man that loves you deeply and completely. Knowing that God is a strong force in your lives and that you respect each other for the person you both are separate and for what a greater force of love that you are together. God has been and is still shaping you both into what is truly a wonderful blessing for all that you touch.
To my daughter, my most precious gift I want to say Thank you for being my daughter. Though there have been extremely hard times between us, you still love me and allow me to be your mother. Words cannot describe how deeply I love and respect you as a person, teacher, wife and daughter. It is to you I write this to let all that read it know that God does give us such precious gifts and we all should be very thankful to Him. He has allowed you to be a part of my life and help me to be the person I am today.
To my daughter, my most precious gift, "Happy Birthday" and may God continue to bless and enrich your and Bryan's lives together.
I love you to the moon and back, with all my heart and soul. With every fiber of my being and as a gift from God, I am proud to be your mother.
The evening before your birth, your dad, myself and your grandmother Loftin were all at a softball game. Your dad's team had a game and I had fixed supper for us to enjoy during the game. BBQ chicken, potato salad and green beans. I can't remember if we won or lost that game, I guess it is because I was so preoccupied with the discomfort I was felling because you were on your way, but I did not realize that until later.
Your grandmother had come down because it was getting close to time for you to make your appearance and I knew that I would need her there. She and I had, it seemed, walked for miles and miles the week before. That is suppose to be good for you and the birth so we walked. She knew something that I had no idea of and that was you were on your way into this world.
Around midnight, I woke up and told your dad that I thought it was time. He, your grandmother and myself loaded into the small Mazda S 10 pickup truck and headed to the hospital, Womack Ft Bragg. Yes, you were born at the army hospital the next morning around 10 am. That was a trip that we all took together that I don't think any of us will ever forget. I had to have the heat on one minute and then the air conditioner on the next. Not to mention that this truck was a straight drive with the gear stick in the floor. Okay, you will have to use your imagination from there.
It wasn't long after we arrived at the hospital, that we were sure you were ready to make your appearance into the world. And when you did, everyone knew you were hear. You were yelling at the top of your little lungs and letting everyone know, you had arrived.
Nicole you are the most precious gift God has ever given me. You have turned into an awesome young woman that knows what she wants and how to get it. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you and how proud I am of you. You have accomplished so much and you have just gotten started good. No parent could be more proud.
My daughter, my most precious gift, you are as strong as you are beautiful. Knowing that you are working at the main thing that has been your passion all your life. The children and young adults that you are teaching and trying to prepare them for what lies ahead are blessed to have you as their teacher.
Also, I know that you have met and married such a precious young man that loves you deeply and completely. Knowing that God is a strong force in your lives and that you respect each other for the person you both are separate and for what a greater force of love that you are together. God has been and is still shaping you both into what is truly a wonderful blessing for all that you touch.
To my daughter, my most precious gift I want to say Thank you for being my daughter. Though there have been extremely hard times between us, you still love me and allow me to be your mother. Words cannot describe how deeply I love and respect you as a person, teacher, wife and daughter. It is to you I write this to let all that read it know that God does give us such precious gifts and we all should be very thankful to Him. He has allowed you to be a part of my life and help me to be the person I am today.
To my daughter, my most precious gift, "Happy Birthday" and may God continue to bless and enrich your and Bryan's lives together.
I love you to the moon and back, with all my heart and soul. With every fiber of my being and as a gift from God, I am proud to be your mother.
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