I went out on my first Patriot Guard Riders mission last night. I stood holding a flag in honor of Sgt. Glenn McDole who passed at the age of 88. Yet, as I stood there holding the pole for hours, my body protesting, I reminded myself over and over that my discomfort was and is nothing in comparison to what this man had endured during his captivity on Palawan Island, nor the many others who have suffered during war. Not only for Sgt. McDole, but I held that flag for my grandfather, John, and my cousins who have also seen war. I held it for all those who are currently serving overseas. For my daughters who joined the military, for my brother and step-sister and for all my uncles and other relatives who joined, served and saw active duty - all to protect their families.
As I held that pole, my heart swelled and I felt gratitude for all those who wear the uniform. Thank you. Thank you very much for your willingness to fight for my freedom when I couldn't join. The least I can do now is stand for you and honor you the best I know how. It is truly MY honor to do so!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Nature Is Calling
I could hear them calling me through the wind, their whispers rustling along the leaves. I had been lax of late and not been to visit. My faithful bodyguard was at the ready and we walk out our door ready for a leisurely pace. It was never good to rush the elders, they would come to me in their own timing; no sooner, no later.
The humans next door are moving. Though I did not know them well and they caused me no harm, they did tend to cause quite a fuss to others in the building. The elders did not deem it necessary to teach me this particular language, so I listen to them chatter amongst themselves as I move down the hall and outside to fresh air.
The breeze immediately touches my skin and reminds me of all I lost, but the trade-off is a good one and I remind myself of that as my feet touch the pavement and Piper begins to sniff the air looking for trouble. At least that is what I assume, since she is my bodyguard. I do think on that a bit and realize that she doesn't seem to be looking for trouble at all. Her tail is wagging and she appears happy. Perhaps she is an anomaly like me and is a happy bodyguard? Well, I can certainly take care of myself! I'm bigger than her now anyway.
*coughs* As I was saying. We set off down the sidewalk listening to the harmony of cicadas. Cars pass me by and drivers smile at the antics of my fierce bodyguard. *ppfft* I see a power walker ahead and suddenly feel sorry for the world's inhabitants that do not know what it is like to stop and take a deep breath and really SEE the beautiful world they are living in. There is so much hype going around about how we are killing the ozone layer, and polluting the land (some are, no doubt), but is anyone really just slowing down and looking around them? Are they taking a deep breath and smelling clean air? Grant it, just as I think this, a horrible truck passes me and it stinks to no end. I wrinkle my nose and wait until it passes.
Wait! An elder glides past me and I can't help but smile. It's a beautiful monarch butterfly! My heart pounds and my body is alert. My eyes follow the lovely creature as it flits through the air around me. I know they are nervous of my size and unnatural change. After all, it's not everyday that a butterfly becomes human! *wink* I continue my walk and hear dogs barking, alerting their companions to our presence.
Further down, two more elders flit into view. I see their shadows first and then they glide down before me. They want a report on my week and I quickly tell them what I have gathered. I see them flutter off and I have a moment of sadness, then I remember that I can still fly, or at least it feels like flying when I ride my motorcycle. It is my way of gliding through the air, parting particles and spreading my wings. If only you could see me go. I am truly happiest when I'm flying.
I continue down the path, feeling happier than even I can imagine. There is a soft breeze blowing against my cheeks, rustling through my hair and tugging at my clothes like invisible hands trying to get my attention. I think to myself again about the many people in their cars rushing to and from appointments missing the little things about life that make it worth living. I think again about the power walker with her headphones on who will never hear the woodpecker in the trees tapping out a beat of his own.
Are you so busy DOING that you are letting life pass you by? Might I suggest taking a small trip out to your front/back porch and just observing all that you see, hear, smell. It's a glorious world out there despite all the doom sayers.
I finish my journey and Piper has finished her call to nature as well. I have the doggie bag to prove it! Okay, I threw it in the trash. I'm not in any race to see who has the best waste! I'm telling you that our Chihuahua was a big enough dog when I was a butterfly! Oh bother! Hehe
We climb the stairs, walk through our door and as Piper prances to her water dish (she really thinks she is a princess and everything revolves around her - I probably helped maker her think this!), I sit down on the couch and look out our sliding glass doors still wanting to commune with nature. I take a deep breath and feel at peace. Life is good for me. How about you?
The humans next door are moving. Though I did not know them well and they caused me no harm, they did tend to cause quite a fuss to others in the building. The elders did not deem it necessary to teach me this particular language, so I listen to them chatter amongst themselves as I move down the hall and outside to fresh air.
The breeze immediately touches my skin and reminds me of all I lost, but the trade-off is a good one and I remind myself of that as my feet touch the pavement and Piper begins to sniff the air looking for trouble. At least that is what I assume, since she is my bodyguard. I do think on that a bit and realize that she doesn't seem to be looking for trouble at all. Her tail is wagging and she appears happy. Perhaps she is an anomaly like me and is a happy bodyguard? Well, I can certainly take care of myself! I'm bigger than her now anyway.
*coughs* As I was saying. We set off down the sidewalk listening to the harmony of cicadas. Cars pass me by and drivers smile at the antics of my fierce bodyguard. *ppfft* I see a power walker ahead and suddenly feel sorry for the world's inhabitants that do not know what it is like to stop and take a deep breath and really SEE the beautiful world they are living in. There is so much hype going around about how we are killing the ozone layer, and polluting the land (some are, no doubt), but is anyone really just slowing down and looking around them? Are they taking a deep breath and smelling clean air? Grant it, just as I think this, a horrible truck passes me and it stinks to no end. I wrinkle my nose and wait until it passes.
Wait! An elder glides past me and I can't help but smile. It's a beautiful monarch butterfly! My heart pounds and my body is alert. My eyes follow the lovely creature as it flits through the air around me. I know they are nervous of my size and unnatural change. After all, it's not everyday that a butterfly becomes human! *wink* I continue my walk and hear dogs barking, alerting their companions to our presence.
Further down, two more elders flit into view. I see their shadows first and then they glide down before me. They want a report on my week and I quickly tell them what I have gathered. I see them flutter off and I have a moment of sadness, then I remember that I can still fly, or at least it feels like flying when I ride my motorcycle. It is my way of gliding through the air, parting particles and spreading my wings. If only you could see me go. I am truly happiest when I'm flying.
I continue down the path, feeling happier than even I can imagine. There is a soft breeze blowing against my cheeks, rustling through my hair and tugging at my clothes like invisible hands trying to get my attention. I think to myself again about the many people in their cars rushing to and from appointments missing the little things about life that make it worth living. I think again about the power walker with her headphones on who will never hear the woodpecker in the trees tapping out a beat of his own.
Are you so busy DOING that you are letting life pass you by? Might I suggest taking a small trip out to your front/back porch and just observing all that you see, hear, smell. It's a glorious world out there despite all the doom sayers.
I finish my journey and Piper has finished her call to nature as well. I have the doggie bag to prove it! Okay, I threw it in the trash. I'm not in any race to see who has the best waste! I'm telling you that our Chihuahua was a big enough dog when I was a butterfly! Oh bother! Hehe
We climb the stairs, walk through our door and as Piper prances to her water dish (she really thinks she is a princess and everything revolves around her - I probably helped maker her think this!), I sit down on the couch and look out our sliding glass doors still wanting to commune with nature. I take a deep breath and feel at peace. Life is good for me. How about you?
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