Happy Fourth of July Everyone!
Photo Credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net
Because of You, Dear Uncles: Veteran’s Day 2012
Yesterday was Veteran’s Day, and in my world it went out with more of a whimper than a bang. However our state’s major newspaper, The Des Moines Register, in a moving salute to World War II vets, had the soldiers tell their stories in their own words.
That story, combined with the passing of my husband’s Uncle Harold, a World War 2 pilot last week, was a reminder of how little time remains for our nation to say thank you to the men and women who risked their lives in that great war. Here are the heroes in our family–some still living and some gone in the past few years–I am proud to call my uncles, and for whom I am grateful today.
Harold Walker, Hiram’s story telling uncle, and pilot in the Pacific Theater near the end of the war. He died a little over a week ago.
Marvin Conrad, my piano-playing and very musical uncle. I believe he served in the Navy in World War 2. He died a little over two years ago, only a few months after visiting Washington, DC on one of the Freedom Flights.
Ordel Rogen, my cattle-raising uncle. He served in some branch of the armed forces in World War 2, though I’m not sure of the details. He died several years ago in December.
Leo Hess, who tells harrowing tales of fighting during the Battle of the Bulge in World War 2. He celebrated his 90th birthday in August and still lives in his own home.
Jim Hoey is my history-loving uncle. He was also a dedicated friend to my dad during his long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Jim served as a Navy medic in the Korean War. He turned 80 in June and still loves to travel and write letters to his grandkids and great-nephews and nieces.
Dear uncles, our thanks for your service is not enough, but it’s all we have to give. Thank you for fighting for freedom.
Because of you, our shared family histories continue.
Because of your sacrifice, our family is able to reunite in the summer to reminisce about old memories and create new ones.
Because of you, little children play without fear.
Because of you, elderly men and women are cared for and safe.
Because of you, we live in peace.
Because of you, we are who we are.
Because of you, we are blessed.
Because of you.
Grace Revealed
God revealed a glimpse of His grace today. A teacher friend mentioned that there would be a faculty meeting after school. It’s probably going on right now. And I’m not there. I’m blogging instead – a grace I never anticipated or imagined during my years in education. I am so grateful for the gift of these unexpected days that allow me to pursue my dream of a writing career.
God revealed this grace, but I’ve decided to list others so I’m aware of them and won’t take them for granted:
- A husband who supports my writing endeavors
- A daughter who is not homesick during her first semester at college
- A brother and sister-in-law who love Abby the wonder dog
- The only clump of mums (above) that survived the mid-April hard frost
- Getting a picture of them a day before they began to fade
- The colors of autumn trees outside the big picture window
- The big picture window
- A cloudless blue October sky
- A warm house
- My automatic washer and dryer – today was laundry day
- My MacBook
- Being able to walk four miles each morning
But don’t live vicariously through my list. Make your own instead. I guarantee it will make you grateful instead of greedy, caring instead of complaining.
So give it a try. You’ll be glad you did.
