Happy Veteran's Day, Early

This time last year, I didn't imagine saying this, but I love my soldier.

Sometimes it is hard to reconcile an individual's personality and person-type with their persona as a soldier. These people who are bad examples of human beings often give the people worth praising a bad rap, which also translates to our veterans. When they're home, it's like they're just like you and your friends. They go to work like you do... occasionally get called away for obnoxious "business" trips, etc.

But you know they are training for potential wars. You know their families have to be prepared to live without them-- for a time, or forever. You know that maybe and hopefully they will come back safe and sound, but they may come back broken.

It is so wonderful how my perspectives have grown since last Veteran's Day. I love, love, LOVE my soldier. I am thankful for this community and these friends that I've made, and I love that feeling of overwhelming pride I get when I think of Matt.

I am grateful for our veterans, and for those who continue to put their lives at risk for other people; for those who have lost their lives, for these soldiers and their families who have suffered the sting of loss and death, the wounds from battle, the many sometimes silent and unbearable effects of PTSD, and something as simple and at the same time complicated as separation.

As much as they may clog up the lunch lines at Panera and despite how many of them might actually be horrible human beings, I give thanks and am glad that I get to spend so much more time with the good guys and gals... and their families :).

The end.
♥
Lindsay