IN MEMORIAM

I watch the "News Hour" on PBS. Nightly, in a moment of silence, they show all those who have died in military service to our country. These men and women flash across the TV screen with a picture, name and date. And, every time, I think of the Mother. I picture the mother answering the door and the life shattering news waiting on the other side of that door. I can't imagine what a parent must go through to lose a child....the aching hole that can never be filled.

I love America. I am proud of our country (most of the time). But, I have no blind patriotism. I get offended when others are called Un-American because they disagree with the government and the decision to go to war. Everyday, we have men and women, daughters and sons, mothers and fathers fighting for America. But, we should never ask these brave souls to fight unnecessarily. We owe it to the mothers of our service people to make sure we have exhausted ever other possible solution before putting someone's child in harm's way.

I will question the government. I will question the media. I will question the bullies. Not because I am Un-American. Not because I am a Democrat or Republican. Not because I am a Christian or a Muslim. Because, no one should ever have to answer the door and realize their heart will no longer be whole without their child in this life for absolutely no reason other than political or economical gain. No one!

It's not Un-American.

It's human.

And, that should be everyone's right!

Go PBS. Go America.

Peace.

;o)

The Other Side

Wow. It has been 7 months since I posted on my blog. And, I'm sure you have been patiently waiting for what comes out of my mouth next. Actually, I post very regularly on Facebook, so I doubt anything written here about my current situation will be a shock to anyone.

I've been living in Columbus, Ohio for the last six months. I packed up my car and furry kids and we headed north for a new job. I have to admit that I did not really come to Ohio for the job. I came because I felt that I needed a change. I was stuck in a very bad, very dark place after losing my parents and four other very important family members in a shockingly short period of time. Sometimes you just want find a place to start over, to go somewhere that everyone does not know your sad stories. And, I found comfort and peace here. So, mission accomplished.

There are still a lot of unknowns in my life right now. And, I am perfectly okay with that. I'm taking every day as it comes and making no long term plans. I've done a little traveling over the summer and want to get out and explore the northeast during the fall. And, aside from another trip back to Dallas for a Cowboys game with some friends, that is all that is on my horizon. For now.

If you look back over your life, it probably looks somewhat like a sound wave frequency....lots of hills and valleys going up and down. The last few years of my life have been lived at a very high frequency, high emotions and very large hills (more like mountains). I'm on the other side now. I'm in a peaceful valley trying to take in the view for awhile and process all the life challenges that I was presented. I know eventually everything will turn back up with challenges, emotions, changes, etc.

But, for now, I'm pleasantly happy just being......

On the other side.

:o)