Memorial Day

This Memorial Day finds our family doing well. Nick, Jacob and Lyla are all happy and enjoyed playing in the pool this morning at Rick's father's house. It was nice to have a such a good time in the sun with a few other adults around to help with the overly-excited boys gallivanting to and fro. There were Spiderman water wings and sunscreen globs everywhere. Lyla was kicking and splashing, smiling ear to ear. My husband, Rick is still having some post-surgical pain; but, thankfully, he is doing much better. I was enjoying the help, the sunshine, and having a ball watching the boys enjoy themselves so much in the pool.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank service members, veterans and military family members for the often unfair sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country and the people who live here. What bothers me most about those sacrifices is that I feel they are often overlooked. In this country so many people take our freedoms for granted, not realizing (or not caring) about the fact that others are losing their lives for them. And really, life itself is only one of the potential sacrifices. Marriages are difficult and parenting can be even more challenging with frequent separations; and, time apart is part of most military lives.

Also, I really cannot figure why so many people look down on military service members. Is it that they know that the military does not pay well? Or maybe they think that service personnel are uneducated and ignorant. I don't know. Whatever the reason, it's a shame.

There is another thankless job besides being a mother: being a military service member.

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One question: When I make a comment on other blog posts, there is a word verification step. Are those words actually found in a dictionary? Apparently, I really need to expand my vocabulary.