Cherish The Day

Regardless of the weather, my family faithfully attends our city's Memorial Day Parade. We feel it is the least we can do to give honor to this country's brave men and women in uniform. It's nice to have a 3 day weekend. It's one of the few holidays that I know I get to spend with my husband and children every year. But I really, try to keep the meaning of this holiday all about those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have an entire summer to fire up the grill. For me, a perfectly grilled meal, or well planned cookout will never take precedence over what this day is all about.

I show up to this parade, start snapping photos, and can't wait to get home and examine the faces of the brave vets. I wonder what I will be able to see in their faces. I wonder what their story is. What was the personal price they paid for my freedom? I am overwhelmed with gratitude for anyone who answers the call to serve and protect. I look in my children's faces, and wonder if it's a call that will tug on their hearts one day. I won't even pretend that the thought of being a military mom isn't frightening. It's actually more than I can bear to process with one high school aged child, and another young teenager. But, I trust that if one of my children are called to served I will be allotted some measure of God's grace that mothers in that position are given.

Here are some pictures of local heros who participated in my community parade. My son also had the honor of being recruited by a local drum corps. I can't resist throwing in a picture or 2 of him as well :) God Bless these service people. And God Bless the USA.

Thank You Thank You Thank You

 I think there are some pretty important things you can do to be a source of motivation to others. What is any successful person with out a good support group? The last time I contacted my children's teachers en masse was after the Newtown, CT shootings. Sure, I keep in touch with them all on a regular basis. I do my best to be a support and work with them for the benefit of my kids. But, I also want to be a support to them just because they have chosen to affect the lives of all children. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I went out and bought donuts for each of my kids' perspective teaching communities. It was just a small token and really the least that I could do. It takes a special person to go into a classroom day in and day out and mold and shape the minds of the next generation. Those who do it for the love and passion of kids deserve to be honored and uplifted. I hope they are given many years, and many souls to affect. 

Motivation

We need to be a source of Inspiration

Make sure we show our Adoration

Do these things consistently without Deviation

Let our kind words be a sort of Donation

Be sure to promote other without Reservation

Find the silver lining in every Situation

Then hopefully one will feel Gratification

Never underestimate the power of THANK YOU!

Salutations for a Soldier's Sacrifice

I would rather look a brave soldier in the face and thank him for his service, than watch a processional drive by and thank him after the fact.

A childhood friend of mine is transferring army bases this summer. She is spending the summer at "home" before she, and 4 children trek to the other side of the country to settle. Her husband is currently on active duty status in Afghanistan. I'm not sure how much longer he will be there before he gets to join his family on a more permanent basis.

I have numerous family members who have served in the military. I was never fortunate enough to have any of them fly into town for R&R. I wish I would put into words the atmosphere while we were waiting. The level of anticipation was thick. It was like Christmas Eve on crack!

True enough, I am turning into nothing less than a sap as I age. But to witness airport terminal personelle shaking a soldiers hand as he approached the waiting area. To see every fiber of his children and relatives wound tight ready to unleash their affection on him. And to see the relief on his wife's face to know he was back safely and in good health.

He sent her a text message to say that the plane landed

I can describe these events to you. But I am unable to effectively articulate how it FELT to be in the midst of it. This is why my camera is a treasured asset to me. Politics aside, you can agree or disagree with America's statuses on wars in various regions. That's a different topic for a different day. I honor and pray for all of the men and women who sacrifice so much to do what so few of us want or are willing to do. God bless and keep them.