In 1776 the
fathers of our great nation signed The Declaration of---just kidding. I will
not be teaching a history lesson today. However, I will be writing about my
love for this great nation. This is certainly not a political post--so don’t
fret. But, this a post about heroism and gratitude.
Joe and I recently
spent the day honoring those who have lost their lives in the midst of saving
others. There is something incredibly extraordinary about people who choose
careers that require them to walk the line between life and death each day.
Those are the people I want to honor in my writing today.
I have always had
deep gratitude and love for the Great U S of A, but it wasn’t until I hit my
teenage years and into college that it really took shape. I studied Political
Science in school and loved it. My favorite holiday, hands down, is the 4th
of July--and I sob at any movie, documentary, 30 second clip, etc. that has
anything to do with patriotism. Oh yea, I love country music too (my mother has
disowned me many times because of this). I just can’t help it.
My favorite place
to visit is the Northeastern portion of our country because it is so rich with
history. One year, early on in our marriage, Joe, myself and a few other family
members took a trip to Pennsylvania to visit one of my brothers who at the time
was playing college football there. We took a day trip over to Gettysburg--and
I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.
There we were,
standing in the same field where over a century earlier brave men were losing
their lives to protect their families and a belief system that is still being
fought for today. That moment in the field was exhilarating and humbling. I
remember during one portion of our tour I left the group and just cried, both
in grief and gratitude. To think that people who you will never meet would
defend you at most, and at the least defend our common core values.
While on this
tour, we drove by building after building that had been preserved but still had
bullets and cannonballs lodged in or the remnants there of. As I reflect on
those images of war, I see how it so reverberates the sound of my life and
maybe your life too?
As life happens,
words and experiences hit us like one of those bullets. Sometimes we have major
things happen in our lives and they hit us more like cannonballs leaving wounds
and gaping holes in us that seem unrepairable.
But, they are
fixable. Most often, time and grace are the ultimate repair mechanisms.
- However, the memory begs the questions…
- Are you willing to serve another without expectation?
- Are you willing to protect your relationships?
- Are you willing to honor all--even in the throes of war?
So, I honor all of
you who have served, or are currently serving our country, our states, our
cities and our neighborhoods so courageously. I grieve with the families who
have lost their loved ones who have fought to protect us--their sacrifice will
never go unnoticed. I will do my part and pray that as our nation moves
forward, we truly are under God.
See you next Tuesday.
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