Originally Posted November 16, 2008
I have two thoughts on my mind, so I thought I'd just blog about both.
First, last night I went to the night air show out at the base. Most of you know that something about Patriotic music and fireworks combine to make me cry. It's odd, but true. I cry every time. Anyways, sure enough, they kicked off the fireworks and suddenly a thought hit me... I suddenly thought about how here I was sitting out at the base, watching the show, while half a world away there were guys and girls protecting me; doing something for me that I hadn't even done for myself. I realize that I am a very Patriotic person. I love this country, and I am very proud to live here. I also have great respect and admiration for our military men - who are willing to leave their families to protect mine. As I looked around last night I saw several young Navy guys in their white uniforms. I don't know the technical name for them, but if you live in this town you know the ones I mean - the uniform that screams "I'm a newbie!". As I looked at the guys, who I would consider babies on a regular day, I was struck by such a sense of overwhelming thankfulness for their sense of duty to this country. These young guys, who don't even look old enough to drive, much less go to war, have willingly decided to sign up for the military.
I also said a quick prayer for all of their mamas. As a mom, your thoughts are turned towards protecting your child from everything. I imagine I would feel great pride, yet great trepidation, if my son came home and said he wanted to go. So, last night, those unknown women were on my heart.
In closing on this subject, I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to all of my friends who have served! Thank you for helping make this country what it is. Let's all remember those who have sacrificed for us!
"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."
—Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMarineCorps
That poem says it all.
On a different note...HOT CHOCOLATE SEASON HAS ARRIVED!!!
For those of you who don't know - JD and I have "hot chocolate season". Basically, this season runs from the time we put up our decorations until New Year's and we are allowed to have one cup of hot chocolate - with milk - and whip cream - everyday. It might not sound like a big deal to y'all, but it is a tradition at our house. It is just something silly that we do. Anyways, today we decorated.
And before you start - yes, it is before Thanksgiving. Got it. I know perfectly well what the date is. As a matter of fact, I've been planning for a month that this would be our day to decorate. Since we are going out of town, it is better to go ahead and decorate so we can enjoy it. Heck, even if we weren't going out of town we still decorate early.
We added some new things. I now have large, sparkly blue and silver snowflakes suspended from the ceiling. I was about a foot too short for the job, so I spent a lot of time standing in a chair on my tip toes this evening. Nice calf workout. Although, if you could have seen me juggling fishing line, snowflakes, and a hammer while on my tip toes, you probably would've laughed. We also bought another Christmas blanket - which we definitely didn't need - and more candles - which we definitely DEFINITELY didn't need. =) You know what though? We love it!!! We are now sitting here with the tree on, the candles burning, and only one other light on. It is so relaxing. If I had a fireplace, we'd have a fire. ahhhhh
Anyways, I'm going to go. It is time to clean our new Christmas coffee mugs (we get to pick out new ones each year) and make our first cup of hot chocolate. JD picked out the cup shaped like a penguin, and mine is shaped like a snowman. It is time to snuggle down!!!
This is a beautiful - and I mean absolutely amazingly beautiful life!!
