Memorial Day 2011

Today, we honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedom. 

Today, we recognize that there are some of our friends and neighbors who have dealt with the loss of a son, daughter, father or mother in this protection of our freedom.

And although Memorial Day is thought by some to be the "start of summer", let's not forget to express our gratitude for those who have fallen in protection of us being able to stand tall and embrace our freedom. 

God bless our men and women serving to protect our freedom!

God Bless America!

EDIT:

In my journeys of the blogosphere today, I came across this one paragraph from 37 days and I wanted to share this with you.  A special thanks to Patti Digh, author of the blog referenced: 

So many of us have never fought for the freedoms we enjoy; in fact, we don't even recognize that they are freedoms, but feel they are just how life is, should be. We won't fully understand that they are not ours just for the breathing, not until they are gone, will we?

Back in the Land of the Living

Okay, I'll agree that the title is a bit dramatic!  But it's been over three weeks since I posted.  And only now do I have enough energy to post again!  Due to some complications following my kidney surgery, I found myself back in the hospital for another five days.  But I'm home now.  Recovering slowly, but each day is better than the day before.   And isn't that what progress is all about??

So today, I'm committed to sit less, work more muscles, get my head back into the real world, and start feeling like my old self. 

Have you visited the Decorah Eagles' site?  I've watched these guys since shortly after they hatched and I'm amazed at how quickly they've grown.  They are starting to exercise their wings and it won't be long before they test drive 'em.  To think they used to be fuzzy little balls protected by mom and dad!

Have you ever given thought to past lives, whether our souls return for another go-round in this life?  Maybe it's to fix something that went wrong in a previous life, or whether it's to aid something or someone in this life.  I just like the idea of returning souls that help us to grow.  That's pretty much part of the the whole "angel" thing with me.  But on to my point.  From the time my #2 grandson was weeks old, I would tell my daughter that he was a bird in a past life.  He was always so calmed when he would watch the trees outside his bedroom window. 

During our trip to the Nature Center in January

On Mother's Day, during a very dramatic wood sliver removal from his foot (tears and wailing aplenty), he would interrupt the wailing when he spotted a bird.  "Waahhhhh, robin, waahhhhh, cardinal..."  Hysterical!!!!

Photography by Christine Buti

And just this week, Mommy and Daddy were wakened by "screeching" coming from Cormick's room.  Clearly a playful screech.  When they finally checked it out, they found that he had built an eagle's nest in his top bunk using one of his blankets, used some books (flaps opened up to simulate wings) to create his little eaglets, and was screeching for the other parent bird to bring food!  Yes, he learned this from the Decorah Eagle site.  The kid is all about birds!!

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

I've got a blessed life.  I know we all have our trials to deal with.  I think I do a pretty good job of getting thru those.  But those trials are nothing compared to the joy in my life.  Yes, it's good to be back!!