We remember…

I’ve always felt very honored to have so many veterans in my immediate and extended family. My father was drafted to go to Vietnam. His orders were changed at the last minute and he was instead sent to Korea. He had cousins, uncles and great-uncles that also served. Our local American Legion Post is named after one of his family members.

My father-in-law was career military, making my husband an “army brat.” He moved countless times and lived all over the world. He saw his father complete multiple tours in the middle east. My brother-in-law briefly served and my husband would have had he not been diagnosed with type I diabetes at age 17.

I grew up in a small town culture that greatly respects veterans and the sacrifices that they and their families make. I grew up observing Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day with parades and ceremonies. I remember standing on the courthouse lawn as a child at the Veteran’s Day ceremony listening to speeches and covering my ears during the gun salute. I remember watching the adults wipe away tears during the speeches. Fast forward 30 some-odd years and I stand on that same courthouse lawn with my own children. They also cover their ears when the shots ring out and they ask me why the speeches make me cry.

Today I spent Memorial Day in the cemetary with my children. We visited the graves of my paternal grandparents, great grandparents, paternal uncle and great-uncle. We saw the American flags planted at the graves of veterans and the military plaques placed on the backs of their headstones. There were many. I explained things to my kids and let them ask questions. They are young – 10 and 5 – but we have to start somewhere. I know they don’t yet understand the importance and sheer selflessness of the sacrifices made by military past and present. They can’t. But they will. Teaching them respect and honor is vital.

So I would like to say thank you to all of our military – past, present, living, deceased, injured. I would like to say thank you to their families. It is not enough… not enough by far. Freedom comes at a high price and I will be forever in their debt.

 

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Productivity is overrated…

Silence.

This is rare in my house. Rare and treasured.

Sometimes the stars align and I have the house to myself. The husband is at work and the kids are at my parents’ house. When this happens, I typically plan out how to best utilize this precious time. No, I am not a spontaneous person. I am an optimistic and ambitious person. However, my follow-through could use a little work.

I had a to-do list this morning. It included such things as an early walk around the neighborhood, cleaning the bathroom, washing dishes, sorting through the endless pile of mail on my dining room table, maybe a load of laundry and (dare I dream) an inspiring and thought-provoking blog entry.

What I’ve actually done this morning: 1) took the dog out for about 5 minutes so he could do his business, 2) watched “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Seinfeld” (this is one of my favorite shows so of course I HAD to watch it), 3) ate chocolate.

Success? Debatable. But I’m totally okay with it.

Welcome

And so it begins on a dreary day. The rain pours down, cleansing and transforming. The old is washed away and all things start anew.

All hail fresh starts and clean slates.

This is my new blog. I haven’t unpacked yet, the walls are still bare. I am still getting my bearings and learning the lay of the land.

I love to write. I’ve always loved to write. Unfortunately, in the bustling land of adult responsibilities, my writing has been put on the back burner. I have a job and a husband and kids… all of the trappings of a busy life. But that voice in my head has been whispering loudly lately. “Write,” it says. “I have no time and I’m not that good,” I say. “Just try,” it says.

So here I am. Trying.