PBS Newshour tribute to fallen warriors

Every night my husband and I watch the Newshour. My favorite part is the end when they pay tribute to the warriors who have died in combat. I cry everytime I watch it. As a daughter, wife, friend and mother of military men, I simply cannot watch that segment and not feel compassion, sympathy and a little guilt for the loss of life given for my freedoms. It is easy to question or justify the need to do this. I don't do that, well not much, but I do feel the pain of every mother, wife, daughter or friend of someone who has lost their life in combat.

On the other hand I complain about my own husband who is gone way too much, serving his country. I complain about the way the military treats people, their greatest asset. I complain about a lot that has to do with the job he does for the military.

One thing I realize is that this is a part of who he is. His dedication and patriotism. His compassion for the world. What he does is important to everyone in the military. He is a patriot. He loves his job. I would love nothing more than for him to come home tomorrow and tell me he is leaving the military. I would also be sad for him. The times that are the worst for me are the best for him.

My greatest wish is that the leadership in the military and the public appreciate the sacrifices people make for this crazy job they do. I wish that each and everyone of us, if not cry, at least feel the pain of the family and friends of those warriors who have given the ultimate price for us, the people of the United States of America and the people of the world.

Giggles and grins

Have you ever just sat and watch a couple of kids playing and having fun. Sometimes it makes no sense. They laugh and smile and seem to be happy for no apparent reason at all. It makes so much sense to go back to that state of mind where you can giggle and grin for no reason at all except that you are wildly happy.

I guess I wonder what happens to us between childhood and adulthood. Ah, I remember, being a teenager. That says it all...

The years when you learn so much, and make so many mistakes. You learn to distrust, love is not unconditional, if you find someone you fall in love with is probably isn't for ever. Just a few of the negative things you learn. But there are positives as well, like taking responsibility for yourself, although some have learned this better than others.

Life is too short to let the negative event in your life keep control. This year I am going to try to overcome all my past negatives and get back to the time in life when I would giggle and grin just because.

life is a little nutty

This thought is for all the nuts out there.

Some people save nuts, like a squirrel. Each nut represents a little heartache or wrong that has happened to them by the person they love, next thing you know they are building walls of these nuts that are cemented with insecurities, before you know it there is a wall of all these little nuggets of hurt and anger that has closed off a perfectly good relationship. Then one day, you add one too many nuts to your wall and everything comes crumbling down and you start throwing nuggets at each other that cause irreparable damage to your relationship. You have to crack the nut, share the meat and toss the shell before you can continue. It is a lot easier to do this one nut at a time than to have to crack, eat and clean up all those nuts that wall was built of. Happy nut cracking!