More Than Words.


The roller coaster....it's something that many Americans are riding on every day....and maybe not at an amusement park. But it's a ride that brings many emotions....fear, excitement, ups, downs, and on some days, you just never know what you are going to get because the curves are a little too sharp to see what's ahead.
But to love someone - or more than one someone - who serves in the military is the proudest ride a person could ever experience in a lifetime. We are blessed to have our daughter and son in law both serving. Laurie has been in for 12 years, Stephen for nearly 16.
This morning there was a Veterans appreciation assembly at Kasey's school. We went with Laurie...and when they asked all current and former members of the military to stand, I was so proud to watch as Laurie, and Ron, who is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, both stood. Many, many active military were present at the assembly and with a military band there to boot, it didn't take me long to use the tissues I had stuffed in my pocket as we left the house. Kasey was there in the front row with all the rest of his class and it was awesome to see the kids as they waved their flags during the closing song - Proud To Be An American - not sung by Lee Greenwood but by the school kids themselves. They knew every note, every up and down and pause and the words were heartfelt as they sang.
Laurie also cried - I know it was a difficult assembly for her with Stephen in the sand and I know that she was wishing he could be with us too. I was glad I had extra tissues - she needed them. And as we listened and watched and smiled and cried, it could only be appreciated in full to be in one of those roller coaster cars. To understand that these kids and teachers REALLY wanted to give a tribute and to know that a lot of planning went into every bit of the program.
The tears today were not just Laurie's and mine. To look around and see them in the eyes of men and women in their military uniforms, the veterans with their dignified posture, and the kids in their colorful red, white, and blue (and they managed some pretty ingenious ways to get those colors into one outfit :) - all of these things a reminder that the brave who have fought, those who still take up their arms to protect us, and those who have given that ultimate sacrifice which can never be forgotten by all they leave behind - did so because they were and are Americans who are loyal to our flag. And they want(ed) to keep us free. To think our present day military actually volunteer to do all this...to risk all of this - is pretty amazing.
I am having trouble getting my head wrapped around all of this today - words aren't enough, and even the ones this thankful heart prompts me to type are not adequate.
But because of those who serve(d) - including my own two soldiers and the man I have loved for 41 years - I cried tears of pride and thanksgiving, and maybe even a little pain and anguish this morning. They are cleansing. and there is no shame in them.
And when Kasey gets home from school today, the hug I give him will be a little longer because I know that he is serving too. He will not understand now, but someday, on another Veteran's Day, he will know.
Thank you for stopping by - please say a prayer today for those who have served, who still serve, and for those who love them. They would be so appreciated.