Our soldiers

I want to thank our soldiers for the wonderful gift of freedom they have allowed us to have in our country and in the world.  It is through the sacrifice of young men and women that we can enjoy our lives.  Soldiers give up their families, jobs, mental, physical and emotional health and even their lives. When a soldier dies it leaves a hole in the fabric of life that can never be repaired.  The example of courage, faith, hope, generosity, selflessness, and love live on.  I appreciate all of our veterans.  Thank you!!

Illness

Illness in ourselves or others we care for can force our world as we know it to come to a halt.  We are forced to cancel all of our outside activities.  It is amazing how well the world functions without us!  All of the extensive commitments we have crowded into our lives become secondary to our main focus--our family, friends, and ourselves.  We often pray to God to ask His help in ending the illness or to take away the pain and suffering.  It is when we have these life challenges that our faith becomes our strength and support. When illness strikes, we are forced to rest from our routine daily lives but enter into a time of stress as we go into uncertainty and lack of control.  Illness can be a friend sometimes because we learn to say no to outside requests that infringe on our sense of peace and focus.  We are forced to examine what is important in our lives.  Often we make positive, long-term changes in our lives because we have had the time to take a good look into what should be our priorities on a daily basis and learn what is most important to us as we take one day at a time.

New Life

I just heard from my sister that her latest great grandchild was born this AM.  The baby missed mother's day by 1 1/2 hours.  He has an older sister and his parents are so very proud of him.  My daughter-in-law is due next week with my 19th grandchild.  It is so exciting to think about a new life beginning.  It is such a miracle that a baby can begin so small and grow into a beautiful, functional, constantly moving individual that can take over your heart and your life. God blesses us with these little people who are a part of us.  Life happens so quickly but it seems to drag very slowly at other times.  A baby is a gift that keeps on giving.  It is a lifetime commitment to become a birth mother, adoptive mother or a step-mother.  Other mothers include foster mothers, neighbors or friends who are stand in mothers at times or fathers who are mother and father. Children need love, constancy, discipline, faith and to thrive. They are amazing as little sponges who soak up love and attention.  No matter what capabilities a baby is born with, he or she always has the ability to make a difference the lives of everyone around them. I thank God for babies!