Thursday, December 03, 2009

A BIG week.

We have arrived at our destination city - and we'll be hugging Laurie tonight.
In just a week, Laurie will graduate and Stephen and Kasey, and Ron and I will be there with bells on. And of course, I will be wearing my Two Star pin as well as my American Flag pin. Are we excited? More excited than you could ever guess. We'll take the kids out for lunch afterward and then come back to the RV and let them have some time alone to celebrate this awesome time in their lives...seeing a year behind them which seemed so long when the journey began.
Funny thing, the man who pulled in next to us in the RV park yesterday is an Army vet who served time in Vietnam as a medic. He received his training at the same school Laurie is going to right now. Small world, isn't it? I thank God for all the stories out there waiting for us to hear about our country's military and our veterans.
When we were watching Fox news this morning, there were a group of former Miss Americas and a Miss Utah (herself a SGT in the Army) who went to Afghanistan to visit the troops for Thanksgiving. They briefly interviewed a young woman who said that she was going home soon and said into the microphone, "I love you Buddy, mommy will be home soon." I cried...couldn't help it because it was a reminder, hopefully for those who do not have anyone serving, that it's not just about war, but about sacrifice. Prayerfully, those who don't agree with the war understand the seriousness with which our military takes their commitment - that they don't just take orders, but look for them to do what they are there to do - complete their mission.
I've always realized that it's not just my children who face separations, it's countless thousands of men and women who are away from their families. No matter where they serve, however long it takes, they get the job done.
Awesome, aren't they?
God bless them all and those who wait.

4 comments:

Ma said...

Laurie,

Congratulations! You have worked so hard for this and you and your family have given so much. For those who give so much, much more is returned.

Thank you, the entire family, for your service to our great country.

Betsy

Linda said...

Congratulations Laurie!!!
Yes Sue our soldiers and their families are awesome. I can guess what city you are in for Laurie's graduation, it is no doubt the same place where Jon did his AIT. Beautiful area and a memoriable trip for us there to see him graduate.

Call Me Grandma said...

Awesome is the right word.
Congratulation to Laurie.
Congratulation to her family. It was awesome watching your family pull together so that Laurie and Stephen could do their jobs.
What a great family story.

Karen said...

Congratulations Laurie. How awesome your family is, the commitment and the sacrifices you all make.
All our soldiers and their families give so much. I love them all.