What are we all doing on Memorial Day? I've been watching the Giants lose to the A's and reading a James Patterson novel. One of the characters was musing about his past and how after being injured in the British army and discharged, he had turned to the bottle trying to chase the demons away. How many of our homeless today are victims of PTSD or other disability and are not receiving appropriate treatment? I know this.....we have reduced the amount of money available for disabled veterans while we're sending gobs of money to other countries around the world. Why aren't we taking better care of our veterans?
Is it because we've become inured to war itself? I guess WWII was the last popular war in which our freedoms and our country itself were in danger. The Korean "police action" was not for our personal benefit, nor was Vietnam, nor was Bosnia. The first Gulf was perhaps not so much about oil, but to try to stabilize the Middle East. The invasion of Iraq was arguably based on faulty intelligence. Afghanistan was supposedly to capture/kill Osama, which after 9 years or so, we finally did. We don't even seem to publically protest the recent wars as was done during Vietnam.
It is impossible for me to feel the same emotions of those who have been in boots on the ground combat. I saw plenty of the havoc of war during my Navy service during Korea, but not the kind that our troops have seeing in the jungles and in the desert. Not the kind of death and destruction that comes from such things as IED's.
I think what I'm feeling right now is a mixture of anger and sorrow, anger at war itself, and deep, deep sorrow for those who have died (needlessly ?) . Should we celebrate today as we do Independence Day, or should we be thanking God for those who have served and praying for their safety.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Matt was a good baseball player throughout high school and had high hopes for a baseball career; however, he suffered a shoulder injury which prevented him from even being scouted. Nonetheless, he continued his education and was to enter Sacramento State for his senior year in September, 2011.
One of the few things I've had problems dealing with is my anger over how Matt died. He and his two brothers have had both peanut and tree nut allergies their entire lives and everyone knew it. Even so, he was served a salad containing some kind of nut oil, and immediately went into analphylactic shock, a completely unnecessary death in the beginning of adulthood with a great life and career to look forward to. Matt had professed belief and trust in Jesus some years previously and so it is with hope that he and I will be reunited some day.
Matt's funeral was attended by at least 200 persons, many of which were friends of his in high school, but also many came up from San Diego who had worked with him at Target. Matt was loved by everyone who knew him.
Miss you #1, and always will.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Rather than going into the gory details of my hip injury now, (that means it will come later), I'll just say that I have come a long way physically from where I was 2 years ago. Although I still have pain and stiffness, it is so incredibly better than it was. I can walk but I need a cane if it's for some distance, I can do my "man chores" around the house and yard. I have stopped doing rehab type exercises, but just go about my life in as normal a way as possible. I have reached what I call the "new normal", and I'm grateful that I've come that far. If I continue to get mobility, that's just that much more to be thankful for.
Persons who know me well constantly comment on how cheerful I always seem to be. One of my pastors whom I regard as the ultimate pastor and who I respect more than any other man I've known, wrote me a note stating that I'd "been an inspiration" to him. I didn't know quite what to make of that, but my closest family assured me that it was because I wasn't pissin' and moanin' about my situation and blaming God and all that stuff. This from a man had had been and continues to be an inspiration to me. So there you are.
Does everyone have a "bucket list'"? I sure did. It was to see the SF Giants win a World Series before I left this earth. I not only was able to scratch it off the list in November 2010, but did it again in November 2012. It's no longer on my bucket list, but I sure do hope they get another ring. After all, the 49ers have 5, and almost had a 6th one this past season.
Persons who know me well constantly comment on how cheerful I always seem to be. One of my pastors whom I regard as the ultimate pastor and who I respect more than any other man I've known, wrote me a note stating that I'd "been an inspiration" to him. I didn't know quite what to make of that, but my closest family assured me that it was because I wasn't pissin' and moanin' about my situation and blaming God and all that stuff. This from a man had had been and continues to be an inspiration to me. So there you are.
Does everyone have a "bucket list'"? I sure did. It was to see the SF Giants win a World Series before I left this earth. I not only was able to scratch it off the list in November 2010, but did it again in November 2012. It's no longer on my bucket list, but I sure do hope they get another ring. After all, the 49ers have 5, and almost had a 6th one this past season.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
How interesting that I came across this old endeavor of mine 4 years to the day since my last post.. So much has happened in my life since then, so much that I feel compelled to write about them so that I can remember and revisualize both the good and the bad. The reader might wonder why I might want to remember the bad happenings, but as I think about them I also remember that Almighty God was in control, He knew my pain, and He helped me to cope with the negative and turn them into the positive. He comforted me, He healed me, He was always there to talk to me, and He blessed me throughout the entire 4 years.
The most memorable negative occurrences went from prostate cancer, a "mini" stroke, the loss of my beloved grandson, a broken hip, to a life threatening infection. There were new friends gained and old friends lost, relationships enriched, relationships weakened, financial resources gained, and financial resources VVVV, but again through all, I remembered that as God's child, He would never leave me or desert me.
More tomorrow, if I can see this in print and still want to do it. LOL
The most memorable negative occurrences went from prostate cancer, a "mini" stroke, the loss of my beloved grandson, a broken hip, to a life threatening infection. There were new friends gained and old friends lost, relationships enriched, relationships weakened, financial resources gained, and financial resources VVVV, but again through all, I remembered that as God's child, He would never leave me or desert me.
More tomorrow, if I can see this in print and still want to do it. LOL
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The History of Memorial Day Courtesy of History.Com
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.
This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.
In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.
By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)
Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.
Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.
Oh My, The Weeping and Wailing & Gnashing of Teeth
So....at least 2 of you will miss me. Donna says that AOL won't let her become a "Follower", and I say to her, Donna, just give me a comment once in awhile. How does one do that? Let me show you. Scroll down below the post to where it says, 0 comments. Click on that and make your comment. You can make it as (your name) as Giants Princess did, or even choose Anonymous. I will comment on my own post.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Last Post ?
This may be my last post, at least for awhile. It is increasingly difficult to develop material which readers might find interesting. I live a very mundane life, actually, and is it weren't for my spiritual life, it would be pretty boring.The number of daily "hits" on this site have continually gone down and there have been only a couple of comments left. So, I may come back from time to time if something REALLY interesting and significant occurs in my life.
In the meanwhile, I leave you with this:
Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel.. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. .
In the meanwhile, I leave you with this:
Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel.. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
.jpg)
