Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a wonderful holiday to rekindle in our hearts and minds the self sacrificing of our military personnel. In these times of turmoil and in times past, our brave soldiers gave themselves up to protect our country. They fought courageously to ensure our freedom.  Most of these warriors were young men and women, with their whole life waiting before them.  In their untimely deaths, the rights and privileges of our great country have been established and preserved. Most of us will celebrate with picnics and parties without stopping to realize the debt we owe to our fellow citizens for allowing us to enjoy these freedoms. Take just five minutes to stop, thank the good Lord for our country, for the sacrifices our military have endured and the many sorrows others have had to give you this.  I heard one young man interviewed on the TV. He was recently given the Medal of Honor, the highest tribute given to any military personnel. When asked how he felt about that, he responded that he only did what any of the others in his unit would have done in the same situation. He felt he was only a mediocre soldier, not worthy of the praise. He then pondered how much more the good soldiers had accomplished. I was touched by his humility and thought to myself that his attitude portrayed the qualities of a great soldier. One who is willing to sacrifice all, just because it is the right thing to do. I only hope and pray that his example in this would be Jesus Christ. Jesus, who gave Himself for all, to give us the the right to be the children of God; who paid our debt, and ensured our freedom to become a citizen of heaven. Isn't He the best example of sacrifice and honor?

Love Language

I am more and more convinced that the discoverers of the love language ideas were right on track. I see more and more the differences in ways that people act and react to their surroundings and those around them. I am not good at verbal affirmations. I do much better in sharing, caring and doing for others.  I want to do all that I can to encourage and lift up those that mean the most to me. My gift of gab is not the way to go. I stumble over words, not knowing how to place the right combination together to let others know how I feel about them. I am quick to say I love you to those closest to me, but after that, the conversational skills go down. I am amazed and awed by those that can always articulate their feelings and thoughts so easily. I can easily give a hug, share a treat, or give a gift to show someone I care. I believe I do have the gift of hospitality. I love to open my home to others, share a meal, a cup of coffee or tea or an ice cream cone. What is mine, I will share with those I love.  In turn, I love to get a hug, have a phone call answered or returned, receive a card or letter and collect the many colored pictures and works of art from my children when they were young, and now their children. I adore my grandchildren. every hug and kiss and smile they have shared is bound in my memory bank forever. I love the sweet, thoughtful calls from my husband, the times he has taken me to a diner for breakfast, even when he doesn't like to go there and the small acts of love when he picks up a dish or folds a blanket or runs the vacuum. I am blessed when my family comes around to help in the house or the garden, or just pick some weeds from the patio. The thoughtful acts of cleaning up after a family meal or make me cup of coffee, just because.. thank you, Lord, for allowing us to show and receive act of love in different ways. It is like a bouquet of spring flowers, arranged in random display in a vase.