Thursday, November 16, 2017

Inspiration the Week before Thanksgiving 2017

At this time when it seems that there is so much to be stressed over, depressed over and just ready to give up on...let us remember to be grateful for what and who we have in our lives and most important, to tell those people everyday how much they bring to our lives and to thank them.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11

                                                                 Butch - 1967

                                                           Butch - 2017

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans; that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I; major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

War is never a good thing and when men and women go to war to fight and sometimes die, that is a sad and terrible thing.  But as much as we don't want to admit, there have been times when some people have seen going to war as a good and noble effort.  World War I and World War II were wars that were described by authors and poets as a grand adventure (not my opinion).  Then came Korea which everyone kept saying was not a war but a "police action" (war by another name, in my opinion).  Vietnam became a war not only in Asia but here at home.  Those boys who went to war were not looked at grandly but were labeled as "baby killers" (among other words).  Vietnam veterans didn't come home to parades and pats on the back, they were told not to wear their uniforms when landing in the US because it could mean trouble.  Vietnam veterans were told to be quiet about their experiences and for the longest time they were (some are still silent).  At present, there is no draft, so men and women go to war because they believe they want to serve their country in the most noblest of causes. 

In the last few years, we have started to thank our veterans for everything they did or are doing for us.  We honor them at parades, concerts, dinners, programs, etc.  We show our gratefulness thru our contributions to organizations that help the wounded warriors of the present and the forgotten of the past.

My father fought in WWII and came home to parades in his hometown.  My husband was in the Vietnam War and he came back to no cheering, just silence and a request that he not wear his uniform. 

Two months ago, my husband went on the Honor Flight.  It was an experience he still speaks about.  But I will never forget what he said to me after landing at the airport and seeing the crowds of people welcoming them home, shaking his hand, thanking him for his service.  With tears in his eyes, he said to me, "This was the best part of the trip...my country welcomed me home".


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

In honor of All Saints' Day

St. Theresa of the Little Flower has been the patron saint of the women in my family for as long as I can remember.  Her novena is the one we say when we are going thru difficult times and need to send added prayers to God.  Her philosophy has always been that the little things we do can sometimes be more important and more needed than the larger things.

My prayers to St. Theresa include condolences and understanding to the victims of violence both by man and nature that have occurred this year.

Saint Theresa, the Little Flower,
please pick me a Rose from
the Heavenly Garden and
send it to me with a Message
of Love.
Ask God to grant me the
Favor I Thee implore and tell
Him I will Love Him each
day More and More.