Life is back to busy now that I have roughly 10 hours less in my day.
The job is going so well. I am such a fortunate girl!
We are so busy which makes my days fly by.
This would be good if it weren't also my life flying by, but hey. . . at least I'm loving my work and having a good time during all the in betweens.
I've made some new friends who are reminding me of my silly side. (Like it needed to resurface!)
I'm remembering every day to be thankful of all that is.
Very very thankful.
Today is Memorial Day, it is raining which to me is so peaceful. Outside, I hear the birds singing. It is mixed with news reminding us to take a moment of silence for those who have fallen in service to our country.
Just a moment. . .
This past week I enjoyed a family vacation in a beautiful, ocean front home.
I ate, drank and sun bathed on the shore of a calm, sandy beach.
Last Sunday night I sat on a deck overlooking the water while having dinner with my father.
He's a retired Master Sergeant: 11 years Airforce, Vietnam Veteran, 10 years Army Reserve, activated during the Gulf War.
During dinner, I asked him if he was ever truly scared while in Vietnam.
"Yea, one time in particular. There was this plane on our base and me and this guy's job was to guard this plane. Now, the Airforce didn't carry guns but there was a building where if we came under attack we would go and get a gun. Well, we were right on the perimeter of the base so there was a fence, a field, then a trench with another wire fence beyond that. Well we look up and see the VC scaling that outer fence so we went and got guns. I just knew that any minute those VC were going to be coming over our fence. I'd never shot anyone."
Daddy paused.
"Thank goodness we never saw them. The Army was in that trench picking them off as they came over. I never had to shoot, but I was terrified."
"You know, this didn't used to bother me then, but it does now. I used to have to drive around the edge of that base to get to the mail drop every evening. I'd pass by where they would load the dead bodies to take them . . ."
His voice trailed and he turned his head. His eyes filled so I reached for his hand.
"The sunset sure is pretty here." I said
It is almost incomprehensible to look at him, my Daddy, and think that there was such a great chance that he would never live to be my Daddy. He was just a kid.
It is heart wrenching to know that almost 40 years has not been enough to ease the memories of what he experienced. It fills me with pride that MY life and freedoms are in part granted by him and so many others like him.
I think about all the men and women who will come home from serving this country and one day sit on a beach and share a story with their child.
I also think about all those who won't.
For some of us Memorial Day is more than just taking a moment, because a moment, simply isn't enough.
