On Saturday night, we went to “welcome home” for  a very special group of men and woman.

Their day started very early in the morning, they were in the air by 6:00 AM.

They spent the day in Washington, D.C.

They had the younger soldiers give them their salutes.

They saw the graves of their fallen comrades.

They saw the memorials, the wall, the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

On this particular flight there were 160 veterans, guardians, and volunteers.

Of all the things they saw – the common sight that was the “best” -  was the crowd cheering, welcoming them home, thanking them for all they’ve done.

In our case, the welcome home group was made up of…

His wife, their children, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren.

Never in my life, have I been more honored to be at an event…or more sad.

I was so happy that my Dad’s Dad – My Grandpa was able to make this flight.  That he was willing to go, and physically able to make the trip.  That he was able to see the community come together to thank them for their service… 6 decades later.

But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking they are missing a veteran, one that would have been just as honored to go.  My other Grandpa should have been on that flight too.  He like so many others died a few years or in one man’s case 10 days too soon…

Please don’t let another veteran die without them knowing how much you appreciate living in this country, to have the freedoms and rights you have come to expect.  You don’t have to agree with what they are fighting for, heck, they might not agree with it, but they were brave enough to take the job they were given and follow through.  They spent time away from their families, their wife, and their children.  They had the courage to do, what so many of us do not.

Right or Left… honor the soldier, don’t let all the blood that has been spilled, all the lives lost be for nothing… don’t give up your rights, your freedoms…  protect them, hold them close.

It’s the highest form of honor.

Do you see what I saw?

Several years ago (like 13 or so) I was at one of my bridal showers.   I remember opening the card and laughing, my Great-Aunt is a remarkable woman – and a tiny bit spunky.  She never married, didn’t want a man telling her what to do…and to this day – everyone in the family treats her like a Queen.

It said something along the lines of:

“My Dear, this is not just your average frying pan.  It is a multi-purpose tool, that will come in handy for many years to come.  It is a frying pan – you may use it to prepare many delicious meals for years to come….   And most importantly, It’s an Attitude adjuster…. use it wisely.”

I’ve never used it as an attitude adjuster – never have had the need.

I’ve been invited to a bridal shower – would you be offended if I put a comparable note in with the gift?

I thought it was funny…but I have an odd sense of humor.

Part of being a parent is protecting your kids, providing for them, and making sure all their needs are met.  That’s the easy part.

I’m at the hard part, and those of you that have been there, done that – have the t-shirt… feel free to give me some advice.

We are past the sleepless night because of late night/early morning feedings.   We don’t worry about having the car seat installed correctly, or that they aren’t getting enough formula.  Childproofing the house – been there done that.

Now I’m at that phase of parenting, where I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to let go, and how tight to hang on.

The world we live in is different.  People are kinda freaky…and do horrible things to kids.  We live in a small town, not much exciting happens, but still I don’t know EVERYONE.

A week ago, after supper Pan went outside after supper, hopped on his bike and took off for a ride, just around the block.  Me?  I flipped out and told Mr. I – he’s gonna get a big lecture when he gets home.  Mr. I says – he’s 9 he can ride around the neighborhood on his bike.  So I said nothing..

Today – after lunch the kids went outside to play – leaves are starting to fall and they were raking them into piles and playing.  5 minutes later, Tink comes in.

Tink:  Pan left on his bike.

FG:  Where did he go?

Tink:  I don’t know – he left with V and that new kid.

FG:  What new kid?

Tink:  I don’t know his name.

So I take a breath, and work on not flipping out…because he is 9…and I’m supposed to let him grow right?  Right….

Well, I’m not good at this “Letting him grow phase”, I struggle with it.

I had to go grocery shopping, and Mr. I is working on a project in the backyard – So Tink and I left.

45 minutes later – we are home, and no Pan.

I call his cell – it rings from the kitchen counter.

Now, I’m officially pissed off.

1) he left without telling me or Mr. I where he was going.

2) he didn’t take his phone with him.

I drive around the neighborhood – not knowing where to look, and i find his bike in someone’s garage.  I don’t know anyone at this house…. I pull over, get out and Pan comes out of the garage – and before I can speak – I tell him he and his bike better be home, before I am.

So….

Before you know his “excuse”…what should his punishment be?  What would you do?

He was gone for over two hours….

How flipped out am I allowed to be?  I want him to grow, and to have friends – I really do….but DAMN, I have to know where he is…

Or am I completely over-reacting?

… That today’s gonna be a good day…. A GOOD GOOD DAY!!!

WHY?  Because today I’m turning in a 12 page single spaced, 1 inch border document declaring that I am the WOMAN for the job.  I swear, this was one of the most difficult application processes I have gone through, and I really really want this position.   (and if wanting the position was all it took, I’d have it… no one wants it more than me… no one.)   It would be a very good thing for me, and my family.  Wish me luck… I’m gonna need it….

But I gotta feeling… that today’s gonna be a good day, a good, good day… whooo hooo!

(Totally stealing from the Black Eyed Peas)

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And I know today is September 11th…. I didn’t forget, I’ll never forget.  The hollow feeling in my stomach, the fear while waiting for family and friends to call and say they were “okay”….

I don’t think I’ll ever forget…. I have a special place in my heart for each and everyone of the people who died that day.   The ones who got up that morning, and went to work, especially a couple of guys who did work very comparable to what Mr. Incredible does… they knew there was no way they could get out – they were above the crash zone, on top of the World Trade Centers,  they knew that their time was limited… and today on the 8th Anniversary, I’m keeping their families especially close to my heart.

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Another blogger did an “I Love…” and listed many things she loves about herself on her blog.  I love that she was have a great day – and in a good place to be able to create that list.  This is what I love about me…

I love that I have sympathy and empathy for people in a variety of places in their lives.

I love that when I am happy for someone, and say I’m happy for them – I mean it.

I love that I believe that our veterans deserve our respect, and am teaching my children the same.

I love that I am good with names, very rarely do I forget a name or a face.

I love that I believe that fireman, and paramedics are our guardian angels – although I hope they never have to come to my home.

I love that I believe that everyone has some good in them…and I love that I continue to look for the good, even when I probably shouldn’t.

What do you love about you?

So what does it say about me that I still get tears in my eyes when I watch a show about 9/11?

Especially when they play the tapes of the people calling their loved ones to say their goodbyes…

And the kids look at me like I’m nuts, as they walk through the room, because obviously everything on TV is fake, because I’ve stressed this to them time and time again, (no, you can’t make a wish, and have it snow; and in real Life Zach & Cody would be grounded beyond any comprehension.)

And I know it’s my choice to watch, and I am perfectly capable of pressing the button on the remote and changing the channel, and yet, I can’t.  I sit there, eyes glued to the screen, tears streaming down my face, and softly sobbing….

for all the things that will never be.

the children that will never know their daddies.

the little girls that will never have that “father-daughter” dance…. and the little boys who will grow up without their mommies.

Maybe it’s because I’m a parent and I have so many dreams of what the future holds for my kids, and I can’t imagaine what it would be like to not have Mr. Incredible there beside me.  Maybe it’s the thought of having that taken from me…. not having a choice, having no control…

Maybe it’s because bad things aren’t supposed to happen to good people… and lately in the world we live in… it doesn’t seem to matter if you are “good people”, bad things are happening anyway, and that just sucks.

HOW TO BE A GRACIOUS BITCH

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching.
Nothing could dampen her excitement
-- not even her parent's nasty divorce.

Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the
best-dressed mother- of-the-bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young
wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!

Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to exchange it, but she refused.

'Absolutely not, I look like a million bucks in this dress,
and I'm wearing it,' she replied.

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, 

'Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all,
it's your special day.'

A few days later, they went shopping and did find
another gorgeous dress. 

When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, 

'Aren't you going to return the other dress?
You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it.

Her mother just smiled and replied, 'Of course I do, dear.
I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.'

 
Now if that isn't Klassy with a "K" I don't know what is....
Smiles for the weekend people!