Giving Thanks

I struggle with Veteran's Day, but not in a negative way.

I always have, though, even in the 7th grade as I played the bassoon for the celebration in Citrus Country at the court house.

I remember in high school, we had a solider come talk to my Spanish class (random, I know) about his experience. I cried. It wasn't even a sad experience. He was both happy and proud to have served, and even more blessed by the interaction he had with the people in Iraq. That's what he talked about, at least.

Then, when I started flying by myself in college, inevitably, the ATL and TPA airports were crawling with soldiers. I would hold in my tears until I got to the terminal, then let it all out in a book, thanking God for early flights and all of those people who are separated from their families and the people they love and are making a sacrifice that I can't even pretend to fathom.

I remember in the 5th grade, going to Washington D.C. and the memorials there. I remember the WWII memorial and still the Vietnam Memorial... I remember being exhausted by my emotion. There is an incredible mixture of sadness, personal loss, love, admiration, pride, and so much more wrapped up in it.

I also struggle with the horrible things in this world that cause war. I don't think of it often, but I get so frustrated with the messed I hate that just a few people with selfish ideas and a messed up mind can upset so many lives. And still, I have friends who are called to represent those kinds of people in order to show them the love of God. I also know people who have used the military as an excuse to escape the mistakes they've made in the past that have seriously affected my friends... however, those few people don't trump the number of amazing people I know who have served in, are serving in, or have given their life and the families of each.

I think a lot about this, but hope one day some patriotic old man will humble and amaze me with his pride and honor for our veterans.

I am so proud, so thankful, and so incredibly blessed to know these people. One day I will figure out how to honor them in a way that's not the same as what we do for every other holiday (including St. Patrick's Day). Something that says, "Thanks, this is all for you."

Until then, at this time of the year, what can we do but give our thanks? :).