MEMORIAL DAY

Okay, okay!  I haven't posted since Mother's Day.  That's what I planned for this morning.  I've had some rough days if you must know . . .

You're right, today is the day we celebrate Memorial Day: 

General John A. Logan Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. © 1994 - 2007 David Merchant
Updated 28 April 2007

There are a lot more stories and information on the site, including the claim that it was originally called Decoration Day.  The women of the south would go on this day to lay flowers on the graves of those who died in the Civil War. You can go to this site to learn more.  I found it very interesting.

Memorial Day to me is not a day for picnics, getting drunk or for going 400 miles away from home only to race back Monday night to make work on Tuesday.  Yes, we all enjoy the days off, and picnics and trips happen, but what happens to the true explanation of the day?  For the most part it is forgotten and our children, grandchildren don't understand at all . . .

Every ounce of freedom that we have can be laid on the grave of a man or woman who gave life so that our country could be free.  It's hard to understand that just a few steps away, over the border from the US to Mexico there is a vast difference.  I lived in Mexico for 15 years.  Little by little I got used to their culture and little by little, I forgot the freedoms that we have as US citizens have.  When election time came around, I began to understand that in Mexico there is no real freedom of speech.  Christians are persecuted (especially those who went there to preach or teach the Gospel)  When I came home, I began to see what I had forgotten.  Some loud and brassy woman at the store began to tell the checker what to do politically.  In an insistent voice.  I was unhappy with the dialogue, not because she was right or wrong, but because she slowed the line down a lot.  In the car, I was so happy!  If you did that against one of their politicians, you'd be shot or sent to jail.  WE ARE TRULY FREE!!

There are young men and women dying now for our freedoms.  They are fighting against cruel dictators like Saddam Hussein and against terrorists who would see America and all Americans dead and gone.

Stop by a grave if you haven't already done so.  Say a prayer, write a dedication.  Do something to remind you what Memorial Day is about.  Teach your kids.  You will never regret it.

                    

This is my husband Robert.  He is a Vietnam War veteran.  He fought for our freedom, saw others die and came home from a war others despised.  This what is happening now.  Our brave military personnel are coming home from a war others despise.  Instead of counting the war dead, which we all do, let's start counting our freedoms.  Pray a blessing over those that have died in ALL wars and thank them and their families for making the ultimate sacrifice.

 

 

Tags: Memorial Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

                                                                    

 

Everywhere I look there are moms.  Some young, some as old or older or very much older than I.   I love to see the mommy-to-be as she walks or shops or worships.  She has a glow about her that is palpable.  I am always tempted to place my hands on her belly and feel the warmth and movement that the Lord has placed inside.  She has such a peaceful look on her face.  She'll weather all the storms as those of my generation and generations through the ages have done (well, almost).

 

I've had a hard time with Mother's Day since my own mother died some 10 years ago.  In Mexico where I lived, Mother's Day started  on May 10th and often lasted until all the moms had hit all the schools for the festivities.  I loved that the kids from the ministry made things for me and often a 2nd thing for their own moms.  I missed my mom.

 

So as we approach Mother's Day tomorrow, I want my mother's love to be a tribute to all the other moms.  My  mom's love for the Lord was powerful enough that her prayers stayed with the Lord - after her death - until all of us were returned to the Lord.  It means that when we mothers pray, that fragrance stays with the Lord forever. To all of you wonderful ladies who are raising your children now and who are great-grandma's and all in between, Happy Mothers Day.    You gals are the best!!!!   And now for the rest . . .

 

Let them spoil you tomorrow!!!

Be Pampered!!

You deserve it!!

Happy Mother's Day

with love from

Rob, Penny & Andrea

Tags: MOTHER'S DAY

TODAY IS JOHN'S BIRTHDAY

  Happy Birthday John ~ Your Mama Loves You

                    

When John was very small (he learned to read at 2 yrs old)  he knew all the answers.  At 4 yrs, he was reading encyclopedias.  When I was trying to explain to his sister about how people stayed in a theme park ride upside down, I said it had something to do with gravity and asked John to get the "G" book of the encyclopedia.  He came back with "C".  I said no - I wanted "G" for gravity and he said to me "No, Mom . . . it's "C" for centrifugal force.  See here."  He showed us what it was ~ we did an experiment with a bucket and water.  I was humbled.

All through his lower grades of school, he was really into science.  He said he wanted to be a scientist.  I was pleased.  His proficiency in science is part of what got him a scholarship for the exclusive Webb School.

In his freshman year at Webb, he had an English teacher who challenged the class to write  - I can't remember the assignment.  I will never forget the story he wrote.  I was so moved that I cried.  I don't have a copy of that story.  I do know however if I had a chance to read it today I would probably cry again.

The rest is history . . . .

I am very proud to be his mom.  And to think . . . I wanted him to be a scientist or at least an English teacher!  What the world would have missed. 

So stop on by his journal  By the Way in which he has already announced his 38th birthday . . .

                I Love you, Son.  Happy Birthday

                             Mom

Tags: John Scalzi, By the Way, Happy Birthday

Trying to Soar

                           

I am so grateful that I got my lazy Sunday the last time I wrote an entry because things around here have really changed.

Monday morning the 30th Rob had a doctor's appointment.  It was routine with the exception that the doc changed one of his medications.  At the pharmacy later, we picked up the prescription.  While I finished paying, Rob was headed out the door.  I heard a loud crash . .  . I knew it had to be him.  He was having a grand mal seizure just 20 feet away.

Guys, I've seen seizures plenty of times.  It was agony  for me to watch my husband.  The personnel at the pharmacy were great.  Before I could even think, they had called 911, brought a blanket and paper towels for me as I sat there with him.  The paramedics came and took over.  I sat for a while then allowed a paramedic to help me up.  Andrea and I couldn't ride in the ambulance.  I had to follow.  I hadn't really been at the wheel in about 6 months.  I got in the car and watched as they closed the doors on my beloved.

It was devastating to see just that last little picture in my mind.  The last person I saw go away in an ambulance was my late husband . . .

We waited 5 1/2 hours through tests, x-rays and a CT scan.  After an IV fluid bag of sodium, they allowed us to leave.  I had to drive home in darkness.  I did well.  That was a true milestone for me.   I know it was because I am always safe in the arms of Jesus.

                             Next day, I also had an appointment with the doctor.  He made some changes to my medications and we talked a bit about Rob.  On Wednesday, I had to see the Neurologist in the morning and Rob had to see his doc again at 2:15.  I also kept my promise to get Andrea to TaeKwondo on time.

Since Rob's seizure, some part of the roles here have changed.  He is going to lose his drivers license for a minimum of 6 months to a year - maybe even longer.  I do hope not.  Although I used to feel such freedom when behind the wheel, now I am uncertain about myself.  So far . . . I'm doing great.  I'm not ready to fly like an eagle, but I'm looking into how to take off.

At the neurologist on Wednesday, I got results.  The results of my MRI showed bulging of all of the discs in my lower back down to the bottom of the spine.  They weren't pushing toward the spinal column, so no surgical solution was indicated.  Next were the results of the nerve and motor conduction tests.  I'm not too happy about the diagnosis.  I have chronic Polyneuropathy.  It affects the nerves and muscles of the extremities and gets worse over time.  The letter description of the diagnosis is CIPD.

So what's next?  Someone better buy me wings because I am determined to soar like the eagles above.  "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31 

I am going to pick Andrea up from school in a little bit.  Rob and I seem to be working out what we each can do.  Share the burden as you will.  We have a deep abiding love given to us by God.  Together Rob, Andrea and I are woven together like a vine reaching upward toward the light.

J-Land is my favorite place to come.  Here I can meet new people and share my life with them.  I love youze guys - sending blessings from the Lord for you.  Stay out of trouble and I will, too. (well . . . do I hafta?)

      

 

 

 
Tags: Soar like an eagle, seizure, paramedics, doctor's appointments, results, CIPD, Isaiah 40:31