thankful: day 11

i am thankful today and everyday for our veterans.  i will never comprehend their selflessness.  i understand the desire to do anything to keep my loved ones safe, but i don't have that same feeling for complete strangers.  to choose to be in harm's way so someone i don't know can go about their life and make any choice they wish is beyond my understanding.  and for many of those people to only think about soldiers one day a year.  veterans are AMAZING people.  and for their sacrifices i am thankful.

i am also thankful for their families.  they sacrifice so much too.  to send a loved one away into harm's way and to then have to worry about them because they won't hear from them for periods of time.

i am also thankful that the boys go to school where they do.  every year there is a program that honors our local veterans.  kindergarten through fifth grade sing several songs.  all of which are so danged good.  junior high kids do a flag show and the high school band plays a couple songs.  i love the song the band plays which is a medley of all branches songs.  then when a veteran's song plays they stand and get an applause.  names of all the veterans from the county that were killed in combat are called out.  and all veterans who are present have their names called and the branch they served.  i tear up at that part every time.  i am glad this is done because it instills a sense of pride and teaches kids how to show honor to these individuals.  i had a few friends who grew up here mention that they have the respect for veterans that they do because of the school doing this.

it seems so inadequate, but THANK YOU VETERANS!
tara

thankful: day 10

it seems i have issues and can't seem to get all of my days posted on the day.  oh well, better late than never, right?

i am thankful for the opportunity to pay it forward.  every time i had a baby i would always have several people bring dinner over for my family.  it was such a Godsend for someone to take time out of their busy life to bless me and my family.  i would appreciate a warm home cooked meal that i didn't have to prepare so much.  there recently has been a family that i have been able to use to pay it forward.  i am glad that we are able to bless this family like we have been so many times.  i ran into one of the girls and she told me how much she loved the food, which just made my day.  i think it was so good because while i was making it i was praying for healing for this mother and comfort for the family.  so it was not only made with love, but prayer.

tara