A Memorial Day Thought

Several years ago (2001 to be exact), I was inspired to write a reflection about Memorial Day. Since it's been awhile since I posted here, I thought this piece would be a good one to share on this Saturday of Memorial weekend. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it will help you to always remember...

Memorial Day

Today we remember the men and women who fought, served, and died to ensure our freedom.

Today "taps" plays a thousand times in my head as I envision a proud and solemn veteran standing at the graveside of a fallen buddy. His uniform is crisp, army green, decorated with colorful tributes to his heroism. The tear that trickles down his cheek is salty and familiar. No one knows, as he knows, what price my freedom.

Today the sun shines brightly in a perfect blue sky and robins sing a beautiful tune of joy and life and spring. I wonder if captured soldiers heard a bird song as they marched along the road to Bataan many years ago. I'm certain birds sang. I don't know if soldiers heard. Perhaps today a soldier will stop to listen. I'm certain he'll remember the march.

Today I'll tell the kids about war. I'll tell them freedom is a gift that carries the highest price tag. I'll talk about men and women who gave us freedom by laying down their very lives. Husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, lovers. I'll tell them to make a difference where freedom is concerned. To love and not hate. To care and not be careless. To serve and not be selfish.

Today flags fly over this great land of ours in memory of courage, pride, love of country, selfless service, and heroism. We must never forget what price our freedom.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

                                                                                               -Ronald Reagan

"Do you see Colby Jack anywhere?"

My daughter-in-law Bailey and I were doing some grocery shopping on Saturday for Easter Sunday brunch. We were standing in the dairy isle picking up some shredded cheese (sharp cheddar, as a matter of fact) when I heard a tiny voice directed toward us. I turned to find a thin boy, glasses slightly ajar on his nose, standing next to a cart with a few items in it. His stature was slight, his appearance unremarkable, and he was just tall enough to see over the cart.

"What did you say?" I asked him.

"Do you see Colby Jack anywhere? I need to find some shredded Colby Jack." He was very articulate and knew what he was looking for. Bailey and I could not find shredded Colby Jack, but directed him to the Marble Jack and assured him it would serve the same purpose.

"Thank you so much," he said.

I responded, "You have very nice manners young man, and you are doing a good job for someone."  Again, he said something which I couldn't understand. "Excuse me?" I asked. 

"My mom is hurting right now, so I'm trying to help her out."  I was caught off guard by his candid comment. I don't remember what I said. I think I told him it was really great of him or something like that. He put the packages of cheese in his cart and was off.

I hadn't noticed how much cheese he took, but as Bailey and I scanned the overwhelming selection of shredded cheese she said, "Did you see he took two sixteen ounce packages? That's a lot of cheese. I hope he really needs that much."  Just then, both of us saw the Colby Jack hanging on the end of a row.  "Well if we see him, we'll have to send him back and maybe mention to him to be sure he needs as much cheese as he took."

We shopped a bit longer and had to double back to get apple juice and coffee. As we turned down that isle, Bailey spotted our bespectacled young friend. "I'm gonna tell him about the Colby Jack," I said. I walked over to him and said, "Hey, we found the Colby Jack." 

He looked up. "Oh you did?"

"Yup, it's the very last kind hanging up right before you get to the butter. And by the way, we noticed you took a lot of cheese. Are you sure you need that much?"

The young boy reached into his cart and pulled out his list. He said, "Yes, see, this is what I need." There in black ink, an adult hand had penned a grocery list. Included on that list was 8 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese.

"Well you are right," I said. "You got the right amount. Now you can go back and get the right kind, too."  Again, our young friend went on his way to the dairy isle for cheese, but not before thanking Bailey as he pushed his cart past her.

Bailey and I looked at each other, full of emotion. Here we were on Holy Saturday morning witnesses to a resurrection story of sorts. Easter came early for us this year. This young boy was being a light for his family, especially his mom; he was doing what we are all called to do--he was being Jesus in the world. The hands, the feet, the heart of our risen Lord and Savior.

All I can say on this Easter Monday is wow!!  He is risen. He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!!!

"If, therefore, I the Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you also should do."
                                                   ~John 13:14-15

Is it okay that I don't serve dessert?

My husband Mark and I enjoy hosting family members and others for meals. We don't get fancy in the kitchen, but we don't go hungry. Mark likes to grill chicken, burgers, brats, fish and anything else we get a hankering for. He uses the grill year round, and in spite of the brutal Wisconsin winter we are still living through, Mark grilled chicken just a few weeks ago. We enjoy entertaining as a way to touch base, catch up, and maintain relationships. 

But it occurred to me recently that we rarely serve dessert. We offer snacks, salads, vegies, fruits, potatoes, soup, and meat. But it seems that unless we are celebrating a birthday, we don't offer chocolate, pie, cake or cookies. Ice cream is about the only sweet you might find in our freezer. That isn't to say I don't like dessert. Heck, if I have cookies in the cookie jar, I tend to eat them after every meal until they are gone. And if I happen to have M & M's in my cupboard, I'll eat those, too.  So why not serve dessert?  Here are my top three reasons for not offering dessert after a delicious meal:

~Empty calories. Chocolate, cake, pie and cookies are full of sugar, fat, and calories. Who needs all of that?

~Time saver. Mixing and baking dessert takes extra time. Time is something we don't have a lot of, so getting the meal on the table is a priority...dessert might have a chance if I happen to have extra time.

~I'm full. If dinner is tasty and there is enough of it, I don't have room for dessert anyway, so why bother?

“Some people prefer eating dessert to the main course. These people have never been really hungry.”
― Vera Nazarian

Repent and be Faithful to the Gospel

I am a marked woman...my forehead bears a cross of ashes...it boldly says, "I am a sinner."

I fall short of the glory of God; there are areas in my life that need less me and more Jesus--times and circumstances where I think I can do it better and handle it without relying on God's grace. Inevitably, I stumble, fall, and sin. 

The Church, in her infinite wisdom, sets aside this time of fasting, prayer and alms-giving as an opportunity to look deep inside, turn away from the things that keep us apart from our loving God, and turn toward a stronger relationship with Jesus.

My local church encouraged us to take a stone as we left church today. It is to be a reminder during this Lenten season of the ways in which we hold on to a hard or 'stoney' heart; it gives us a chance to ask what are the obstacles in my life that keep me from a deeper relationship with Jesus? What are the changes I need to make? How can I be more like Jesus in a world desperate for love?

When I was younger, I really didn't like Lent. It meant I had to give up something for almost six weeks (usually that was candy or ice cream), it meant we didn't eat meat on Fridays, it meant I attended daily mass with my dad, and it meant the church was bare and sparsely decorated. All in all I saw Lent as kind of a downer.

As I've grown in my faith and love for Jesus and as my understanding of the church year has deepened, I see Lent as a holy, special time. There are many opportunities for prayer and growth; for silence and simplicity; for change and renewal. It is a chance to say, yes I am a sinner, but it doesn't end there. I have a savior who loves me like no other, accepts me where I am and calls me, ever so gently, to be more of who He wants me to be.

That's what Lent is all about.

NO!

As I was walking on my treadmill this morning, a piece on television about a couple who participated in the just concluded winter Olympics caught my attention. I turned up the volume and became more incredulous as I listened.

In a nutshell, here is what I learned:  A 47 year old man and his 48 year old wife from Montana (that is a state in these United States of America) participated in the Winter Olympic Games under the flag of the island country of Dominica (he actually carried the flag in the opening ceremonies!).  He, Gary di Silvestri, and his wife, Angelica Morrone, acquired "economic citizenship" in Dominica by donating a minimum of $175,00 to the country.  And according to the president of the commonwealth of Dominica, no Olympic rules or principles were violated.  Additionally, this couple was slated to participate in a cross country skiing event during the Olympic games. Guess what? Neither finished the event due to medical reasons.

As I finished my workout, several words were running around inside my head, but the one that I actually looked up is "spoiled."  On line, Miriam Webster defines spoil:  to give (someone, such as a child) everything that he or she wants : to have a bad effect on (someone) by allowing too many things or by not correcting bad behavior   

 Can I get an amen here??? 

Now maybe these folks are hard working, God fearing people who meant no harm. I really don't know much about them. Since this is my blog, I'll take a bit of liberty, go out on a limb and just say it...I think they are spoiled. They probably have gotten what they've wanted most of their lives and nobody who really loves them has ever said NO...No, honey, we aren't throwing you a birthday party. Why? because you are only turning seven. We will celebrate your birthday with the family just like we've done every year since you were born. Grandma and grandpa will come, your cousins and aunts and uncles will all be here.  Maybe on your tenth birthday you can have a big party with lots of friends. That will give you something to look forward to. No, you can't have a new bike. Why? because your brother's bike has plenty of wear left in it, he's older, so we are looking for a new bike for him. Your time will come. No, we aren't buying you a cell phone. Why? because you are twelve years old and if you need to use a phone, you can use the one on the counter top in our kitchen. No, we aren't buying you your own car. Why? because we can't afford it. You can probably get a ride to the high school with one of the kids in the neighborhood. And when you absolutely need a car, you can take the family van. No, you can't stay out all night after Prom. Why? because you're a high school junior and I don't want you sleeping at Sally's house even if the boys are sleeping in the basement. No, you can't participate in the Olympics just because you have enough money to buy economic citizenship into a country in which you don't reside and putting up all that money didn't violate any Olympic rules or principles.Why? because you are spoiled rotten. Think about the athletes (real athletes) who actually live in the countries they represent (or have some ties, other than financial, to the countries they represent), have practiced for years, have sacrificed for years, have dreamed for years, have gotten sponsorships because they are really...athletes! Honor them by acknowledging that just doing something because you have the money to make it happen is bad behavior and undermines the integrity of the Olympic spirit.

I can say with pretty much certainty and it can probably be verified by our kids, that Mark and I didn't spoil our children. We used that little word early and often!  We aren't perfect parents by any stretch of the imagination, but we loved our kids enough to just say no!

Birthday Wishes

My mom is 86 years old today. 86 years is a long time. I am proud of her and so happy she is my mom.

I gave her a 'thank you' note, along with a pretty pink sweater, a pretty black and white scarf, and a 'task' lamp which will hopefully help her see better to read. Happy Birthday, Mom! You are the best. Here's the note I wrote for her:

For Mom with Love on your 86^th Birthday

Thank you for sending me to sell chili supper tickets for the seminarians and poppies for the American Legion—it taught me self-confidence and the need to get behind a worthy cause.

Thank you for being a stay-at-home mom—you taught me to value motherhood and grounded me for life.

Thank you for teaching the handicapped about God’s love—it demonstrated in a profound way that all are worthy and lovable.

Thank you for believing in my athletic ability and supporting me in those endeavors—it taught me about teamwork, hard work, and that bus trips to Oshkosh could be a lot of fun!

Thank you for loving Dad—you showed me, even before I needed to know, how to be a married woman.

Thank you for having six children in spite of what the doctor said—if not, I wouldn’t be here!

Thank you for your love of reading and learning—what a wonderful gift to give a child!

Thank you for listening to me the night I called from Eau Claire and said “I’m not going back to that hospital. I just can’t do it”—you told me I could, that it would get better…and it did!

Thank you for your ministry to the sick and dying, especially to grandma—it shaped me and helped me to be comfortable; to see the person, not the illness.

Thank you for tents over the clotheslines, garage shows, and that brand new banana seat bike—I had a charmed childhood and look back with many smiles.

Thank you for being the best grandma and great-grandma for our children—I believe they know how blessed they are and have a deeper understanding of family because of you.

Thank you for supporting my writing—you’ve been my best cheerleader over the years, and I can always count on you to applaud what I create J

Thank you for listening to people all these years—you have a keen sense about humanity which is a true gift.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our God—it is the best and greatest gift you’ve given me. He will never fail us and I know this because you have shown me.

Thank you for being my mom—you are the best and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone!

I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday!

Mary

 

      My beautiful mom, Althea, with my big brother Tom...looking good!

"I'm sort of his agent..."

Seriously, what is it about this season of American Idol??? I think I've watched the show from the first season in 2002, but I can't remember ever being so emotional. I seem to cry as much as the contestants--especially those who get their "golden" ticket; their opportunity to sing in the next round of competition in Hollywood.

Maybe it has to do with my age. After all, I'm twelve years older than I was when the show first aired. Do you get more emotional with age?

Maybe it has to do with their age. The competitors seem so young...lots and lots and lots of teenagers. Teenagers and their behavior don't usually make me cry, so what's up with that?

Maybe it's about the stories some of them share; stories of family tragedy and triumph, poverty, addiction and rehab, love lost and found.  Idol has always revealed the stories of its contestants. In previous seasons, maybe those stories focused more on the goofy folks who didn't stand a snowball's chance of singing success, much less making a career in the music industry. This season the producers are giving more air time to talent and I like it!

Maybe it's about the fact that these people can really sing. The show seems to showcase honest to goodness ability waiting to be discovered, uncovered, and celebrated. 

Maybe it's about the judges. Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick, Jr. appear genuinely interested in finding talent, nurturing talent, and giving people the chance of a lifetime. None of them seems interested in exploiting a lack of talent for television ratings...is that a naive statement?

In the end, I guess it doesn't matter why I'm enjoying this television show as much as I am. Perhaps it's about all of the above.  I'm older and wiser. The contestants are young. They have stories that will break your heart and make you stand up and cheer.  The judges seem fair and honest and they are intelligent, funny and entertaining in their own right. And the bottom line is there are a lot of really talented people who dream big in hopes of being the next American singing sensation.

So if you are looking for me on a Wednesday or Thursday night from now until sometime mid-May, I'll be the "puddle" sitting on my couch drinking a diet Coke, tapping my foot as some amazing young person sings his or her heart out. After all, this is American Idol, baby!

Here is one of my favorite auditions from this season (so far). I like this young man's story and his voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpNZFe1RpgA