Memorial Day

I consider myself blessed. I have not (as far as I know) lost a family member in active duty. My enlisted students all have returned home safely from their time overseas. My friends’ lives have been spared while serving our country.

Still, I have spoken with a gold star mother and father. I stand in awe of their strength as they speak about their son and all he did for our nation. I can’t imagine sending a son or daughter overseas, but for them to receive that devastating news that their son died in battle and still to dedicate their lives to helping others through his memory … they are infinitely stronger than I am.

We never can be certain of how we will react in any situation, I only can pray that God would give me the ability to have the same courage, fortitude and love as they have demonstrated.

I’ve written of this before, but until I met some of the most amazing veterans at BraveHearts, my heart really didn’t understand the sacrifice. I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t always been as vocal about my patriotism as I should be. I try to go out of my way to speak to and thank servicemen and –women.

I now understand that the gift of service to our country is one that cannot be underplayed. It is an honorable and beautiful choice. It is one of those callings that is the closest one can get to laying down one’s life for a friend.

So this weekend, I am remembering those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice – who shed their very blood so that our country might prevail – so that I might live in the comfortable freedom the United States of America affords me.

Thank you, fallen men and women of our military. Your sacrifice is not – and never will be – forgotten.

May God bless you eternally.

Mother's Day

I will be honest here. Mother’s Day sort of snuck up on me this year. My family is in the throes of end-of-the-school-year, gearing-up-for-ice-show, mommy-has-a-lot-of-articles-to-write, daddy-has-so-many-exams-to-grade-he-can’t-think-straight, and MIL-and-FIL-just-got-back-from-AZ-and-we-all-want-to-see-them mode.

Suddenly I hear that it is Mother’s Day this weekend!

Here is the thing about Mother’s Day weekend. If you are a mom to little ones, it isn’t really going to be a weekend full of rest and pampering. My family still needs a mom. My girls still need mom to make sure breakfast is ready. They need to be taken to practices, they need to be watched and loved and read to and snuggled just like every day.  But that is why we are mothers – we love, care and cherish our children. And, being around our kids is part of the joy of Mother's Day!

Mother’s Day for me always has been shared with my mother and my mother-in-law because,  well, they were moms first – and because of their sacrifice, my husband and I are who we are today.

I know that my mom gave up a lot to stay at home with my brother and me. She always was there when we got off the bus. She was at school for recess, classroom projects and volleyball games. We were never alone, and we knew we were loved.

My mother-in-law raised eight children. She knows sacrifice. She believed in the sanctity of life. Her family has stayed strong together – and it has been a blessing to be a part of that.

There are so many amazing moms to whom I tip my hat. My many sisters-in-law are role models to me – in child rearing, in balancing work and motherhood, in putting your spouse first, and in staying connected to your faith.

And the moms who homeschool right along with me have lived this journey with me as well – and taught me so much about motherhood. I never would have chosen this path had it not been for these devoted women who make educating their children a priority, but who put God first, spouse second, children third and self last.

From all of these tremendous women, I have learned how to make my way through this difficult path we call motherhood.

Thank you, mothers. Your dedication, love, guidance and wisdom make a difference.

Now, we are off to visit my MIL and we soon will have my mother over for dinner. It’s a busy weekend, but a blessed one!

Happy Mother’s Day – to you and to all of the mothers in your life.