Gratitude

Gratitude.

What exactly is gratitude?
I guess it depends on how you look at it.
First and foremost, I am grateful for my faith - not that it is anything that comes from me, but is a gift from God. There are days when I know just how puny that faith can be. Days as a wife, a mom, a grandma when I forget that worry is something that Jesus died for.  And that God's hands hold so much more than we can imagine....and the palm of His hand never lets anything fall.

To live in a country where so many men and women have the courage to say, "Yes! I am proud to serve!"  Where men and women who are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, decide that service to their country is a privilege, and that wearing a uniform every single day is an honor. That the boots they wear walk not just the streets of their military posts, or the decks of their ships, or the steps to the cockpit of their fighter jets, but also the streets and the sands of places far from home.

To be the mom of two soldiers, and the wife of a Vietnam veteran, is a pride that is not a boastful pride, but rather a deep and abiding thankfulness.
Today, Ron, Stephen, and I will go to one of the many restaurants in town offering and honoring Veterans and active military a complimentary meal.  Laurie is still out of town for training, but hopefully will also decide to join some of her brothers and sisters in uniform for a meal as well.
Kasey's school does not close on Veteran's Day....they used to honor veterans and active military with a special program on Veteran's day. I am saddened by the fact that they do not do this any more. It would be good if the many of the children who attend and are from military families would know that their loved ones are appreciated. It's good for ALL children to know their country is served and protected by a military which is strong, and courageous.
I guess that's just my opinion, but still....

And gratitude is something that humbles us....for we are nothing without the blessings God gives to us. No matter our accomplishments, or our job, or our financial status....we are nothing without gratitude to Him.

He has blessed our country with the greatest military force ever given to a nation.
May He give them courage, and some day soon, the blessing of serving once again in peace time.
Thank a Veteran today, won't you?  Or hug someone who is still serving. And please pray for  a family whose soldier has given the ultimate sacrifice.

Just a Little Different

So, now that we've been Colorado residents for a year - not just in the fact that we live here, but that we are full fledged legal residents - we've exercised our right to vote for the first time in awhile.
When we went to get our Colorado driver's licenses last November, we signed up to vote by mail.  Our ballots arrived a few weeks ago. The thing is, none of the names sounded familiar - except that we've seen the campaign ads and signs all over the place. So, our local newspaper published a special edition a week or so ago with the candidates, what their platform is, and a bio of sorts. That helped us a lot. Some might ask, why did we vote if we weren't sure of everyone who is running? And the reason is simple....it's a right our soldiers fight for. A privilege our soldiers are fighting for on foreign shores....in and for countries whose citizens don't understand what it's like to live in freedom.
Anyway, I can't remember an election since the very first time I've been old enough to vote that I haven't exercised that right - except last year, when we hadn't been residents here long enough to vote. The names on the ballot were always familiar - names I'd come to know as I grew up and grown older. Still, despite some of the issues in our leadership today, I still vote with trust. I trust that those I vote for are the real deal....looking for an opportunity to make life a little better for the people they serve....in their towns, or cities...or their states.
And for their country.
So that those who keep us free, and safe, will know they are fighting for something worthwhile.
For this mom, that's important. It's a hope I have despite the current state of politics. 
Whether it's by pulling a lever, or completing a write in ballot, or submitting an absentee ballot, may God's blessing be on the people we elect this election day. They'll need every ounce of that blessing.
We all will.
Thanks for stopping in...see, I'm really back! :-)
Blessings, my friends.