Homecomings

Saturday night, I made the mistake of pulling up a bunch of these videos. Actually, I think I watched just about every one of them available on Youtube.com, including the "Man's Best Friend"-ones.

I'm a sucker for these videos and without fail, they make me bawl.

I posted this video because the very first one is my favorite.The little girl, probably not even two years old, throwing her arms around her daddy's neck and almost incredulously telling him "Hi, Daddy," a couple of times before saying, "I miss you," and a beat later, "I love you."

It makes me laugh, and mostly it makes me cry. (I watched it again, and have to get under control before I'm spilling tears onto my desk.) Sniff.

I can't believe how many fathers and mothers who volunteer to serve their country in lieu of being with their families. They miss the births, the first birthdays, football games, and any number of milestones throughout their children's lives as they commit to putting their own in danger for the sake of their families, yes, but also, for every American in our country. There are videos of fathers meeting their babies for the first time, six or seven months or a whole year later.

It's incredible.

And I can't help but watch these videos and see their sacrifices, and think that I should probably be taking their place. I don't have any aspirations to be in the armed forces, but at the same time, I don't have a family at home depending on me. I kind of feel selfish. And then I remember that I'd never make it through boot camp, and all my good intentions fly out the window.

So instead, I'll just try not to watch these for a while, so I can get a grip. And I'll be sure to make everyone in the armed forces know how much I appreciate the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

God bless them and their families.

Happy Birthday, America!

I spent the majority of the Fourth in bed. I woke up and was ready for the day by 7:30 a.m., headed to the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast with Megan and Eddie, and then went home and basically went back to sleep until much, much later.

After my marathon nap, I went over to the Nunez's house, and enjoyed some delicious food, company, and all-around happiness while we waited for the Stadium of Fire to start. We could hear the whole program, and so we jammed to the Beach Boys, got soaked by the untimely sprinklers, and enjoyed the terrific firework display.

Tonight, I ended Freedom week with a little visit with my dear friend, Colin. He hasn't made an appearance on this blog for a while, so I'm happy to post a few pictures:

We went up to City Creek in Salt Lake. He treated me to some Kneader's for dinner and then we walked over to Temple Square where we discovered that the Utah National Guard Orchestra was doing a Patriot Concert, and we decided at the last minute to go.

I'm so glad that we did.

The program was really great, with songs composed from different wartimes, soldiers, along with classics from the "American songbook", movie scores, and a medley of all the songs from the Armed Forces. It was really cool to sing the national anthem in the Tabernacle, and to add our gratitude to the men and women who have served.

I think it was the perfect way to finish the week.

I really do love this guy.

Patriot Day

I can't let the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks made on September 11, 2001 pass without commenting. Today is Patriot Day. Most the time I don't know what being Patriot really means. I think of those that were patriots during the Revolutionary War and I think of those who lay down their lives as they are off in foreign countries, and here too, defending our freedoms and the ideals of which our country was founded.

And then I think of what I do.

I know it's not enough.

But I do love this country. I'm proud to be an American, even if we are generally thought of as obnoxious, uncultured and a little bit obtuse.

Ten years ago, I walked into my World History class where I sat next to one of my best friends, Kate.
"They blew up the Pentagon!" She said, as I walked up to her.
No. They -- whoever "they" were -- couldn't have. Who would dare to attack us? Within minutes, the TV in our classroom was turned on, and we watched in confusion as the second plane hit. I remember seeing this image over and over again and again.

It's weird to think that this is something that will be in the history books. My children will learn about this the same way I learned about JFK's assassination. And will have a similar attitude to the events that I did, somewhat aloof and detached. But I think it's true, I'll never forget walking in to that World Studies classroom with Kate telling me that someone blew up the Pentagon, and then watching as the second World Trade Tower was hit.

I remember worrying about my uncles, both who work for airlines, one who is a pilot, on the east coast. I remember seeing the footage over and over again and not fully comprehending everything that was going on.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to be there in the chaos and confusion. I just finished reading a book that took place during WWII. The author describes the starving, war-torn areas that I have no real way to grasp the reality of some of the situations. I found myself wondering how people ever survived in the insanity of war, as if it were a distant and long-past thing. And then I watched the 9/11 anniversary special with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Tom Brokaw, and there were accounts of those that survived the attacks on the World Trade Center and I started to realize, how very real destruction and horror can be in only a matter of minutes.

It's been a decade, and their are survivors who are still suffering from cancer and respiratory problems. There are children who are now adults, who have grown up without parents.

We showed that we can rally together as a country. And heroes rose from the ashes.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

President George W. Bush
September 11, 2001

God bless those that are still suffering from this tragic attack. And God bless the men and women who stand up to defend freedom; who choose to run into burning buildings and in the line of fire in order to protect their fellow Americans. And God bless us as a nation, to remember always the day where we came together and remembered why we are proud to be Americans.

Patriotic Blog

I just updated the ole blog to celebrate the Fourth of July. I feel like I'm not a true patriot, and that's something I really want to work on, because I really love our country. Even if I do disagree with most of the politics that are around...

Where liberty dwells, there is my country.  ~Benjamin Franklin

My God!  How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!  ~Thomas Jefferson

Thankful Post #1

I'm not being consistent with my Season of Thanksgiving posts. Season of Thanksgiving posts? You ask... well, it's just the latest blogging trend, and I haven't hopped onto the bandwagon yet.

So here is is... post #1, and I DARE you to watch this video and not bawl your eyes out. No, it's not Steel Magnolias and it isn't The Legend of the Fall or any such thing. But I can't make it through the first 15 seconds without tears, and about three minutes into it, my nose is running and I'm sobbing...

I think the first time I tried to watch this, I was at work and I had to turn it off because I was getting too emotional.

I think my favorite part is at 1:30 - 1:50.



I'm thankful to be living in this country. But more, I am thankful for the patriots, for the men and women out there serving to keep this country free and protected. And I'm thankful that there are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives and children out there that let their loved ones out there to fight for our freedom, knowing the risks involved.

I'm so grateful to the sacrifices that those in this video and the countless other - including my friends and family - who have put their lives on hold, who left their new bride, or went away before getting the chance to meet their son or daughter all for the sake of freedom. We owe these men and women are very deepest respect, the greatest honor and as many prayers as we can offer up.

Thank you.

*I'm still sniffling... how did you fare?