Hello...Remember Me?

"Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner. But whatever they call me, I am YOUR Flag, the Flag of the United States of America. I remember when people would line up on both sides of the street to watch a parade, and naturally, I was leading it, proudly waving in the breeze. When your Daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it over his heart, up against his left shoulder...remember? And you, I remember you. Standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute...and remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart...remember? What happened? I'm still the same old Flag. Oh, I have a few more Stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. But now, I don't feel as proud as I used to..when I come down your street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. I may get a small glance and then you look away. Then I see the little children running around and shouting...they don't seem to know who I am...I saw one man take his hat off, then look around, and when he didn't see anybody with their's off, he quickly put his back on...is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan? Take a look at the Memorial Honor Rolls of those who never came back in order to keep this Republic FREE! When you salute me, you are actually saluting them. Well, it won't be long before I'll be coming down your street again, so when you see me, stand straight, place your right hand over your heart, and I'll salute you, by waving back..and forth..and I'll know that YOU REMEMBERED!"

A Mother's Perspective...

I found this sign hung outside my front door yesterday afternoon, a tribute from my family for Mother's Day. Each family member's hands were traced and with their names written on them, hung above the sign. I was so touched by their efforts and creativity! I love it you guys! It was a Mother's Day such as I've never had before, for while I was being honored my heart and mind were split between the family with me, Ed, Allison, Bryan, Steve, Lidia, Abby, David, Tommy, and those away, the Cox's in Washington, Keith who was working, and Jennifer and Nate who are in the pediatric intensive care unit at a local hospital. Nate has been very ill and as yet no diagnosis has been made. I spent Sunday morning sitting with him so Jennifer could get some sleep and make a quick trip home to gather supplies and organize the rest of her boys to spend some time at our house. I got home just in time to get to church, only a few minutes late and not very well put together I must say. I heard some of the youth pay tribute to mother's, including a young girl who spoke of a requirement for all of us, male or female, young or old, of having a "mother heart", a heart of service and sacrifice. I always have been a little uncomfortable on Mother's Day, I don't like being the center of attention, nor receiving accolades for just doing what I do. But yesterday, though the circumstances are worrisome and concerning, was truly a "Mother's Day". I spent the day serving Jennifer and her family, and there is no where I would rather have been, nothing I would rather have done, and no treasure I could have been given that would have been more valuable than holding my dear little grandson in my arms, and having the great blessing of being a witness to my son in law and son exercising their Priesthood as they called down the blessings of heaven on behalf of sweet little Nathan. I am so grateful for my family, they are the most important thing in the world to me, and I am so grateful to them for their efforts yesterday on my behalf. I love my brownie pan and my poster and my family so much!!!