Today is Memorial Day...so what?

"It's just another day"..."A stupid holiday"..."An extra three-day weekend"...oh, and this one is my personal favorite-"Not a big deal to anyone; it's Monday, so what?"

These are just a few of the comments I have overheard lately as this weekend came approaching this past month, in Starbucks, at the supermarket, and at the doctor's office. And it just blows me away...how people have no reverance for what this holiday stands for.

Well, I'll tell you what it stands for...



Dan B. was my grandpa, but to those who knew him, friends and family as he grew up, he was always Danny, or Danny Boy. And it will always be my pleasure to say that when I was born, I was named after him. He fought in WWII, and told me countless stories of horror, fear, but they always included hope. And there were several that included a prayer I'm sure he prayed more often than not, "Lord, if you let me live through this, I'll do whatever you want me too....Don't let me die today..."and he didn't. He came home, though he saw old friends from his small town fall in France, and other places he fought, he came home, and married my grandma. (Another cute story for later.)

This was grandpa as I knew him, a picture I took several years ago, around 2006 at the Monterey Bay Aquerium...Jellyfish in the background. This man was well known for many years in our community, and at his memorial service, we saw that nearly three hundred people had been touched by his love of Christ over the years, and that's not even counting the people who called and told us they could not make it, but gave condolences. What an amazing life he led, also another story for later.

This is what sits atop a hutch in my mom's living room, we are so very proud to have this display, and honored as well. For those recieving the flag at the service of their loved one, the fathers, brothers, sons, and the mothers, wives and daughters that these flags are in tribute to, no longer with them, but on some level being a comfort to those families, we, as a family, my parents and I, and those that we all consider family, we take comfort in knowing that he fought the fight that is most important, and he won the race that he set out to win, so many years ago. He walked into those courts with thanksgiving in his heart, and he entered our Father's courts with nothing but praise...

We should all recognize today for what it is...it is Memorial Day for a specific reason, to publicly acknowledge those that have fought so that we can publicly say This Is The Day The LORD Has Made...I Will Rejoice And Be Glad In It.

Patience, A Virtue?

I have heard my entire life that "patience is a virtue" and although it IS true, it occured to me while I was visiting family down in L.A. that patience is not the "only" virtue. Of course I'm sure there are many, but for the first time in a little over a year, I got the opportunity to stop, take deep breaths, and just be. It finally struck me,that SILENCE is also a virtue. And oh, how we lack that virtue so often, without realization.My grandpa was the most patient man I have ever known. EVER!!! That is a strong statement.

We would sit in his house for hours sometimes, just sitting in the rocking chairs, or him rocking, while I cleaned his house, talking, visiting; which usually consisted of him talking, and telling me memories while I silently listened, always on the edge of my seat wanting more, never wanting those conversations to end.

I saw from a very young age, that when others were roudy, or fighting, or just plain loud, that my grandpa was always silent. And it wasn't because he was angry, or upset, he just relished in the idea that God knew his thoughts, and that was usually good enough for him. That's not to say he wasn't able to be known, because he stood up for anything he believed in. And I think on all the moments in time long ago it seems, that we had him over for dinner, and we would sit on the couch afterwards, listening to my mom play the piano.

And how that was one thing he always cherished with my mom, from the time she first started playing as a young girl, how he would come in from the field, sit in his chair, close his eyes, and just listen to her music. He would very often fall asleep in the chair, or sitting on the chair, relaxing,as my mom played her beautiful music. What a blessing he said that always was for him, to just listen to her play.

So often we forget what it can truly do for us to just be silent...to "be still, and know that I am God" is my favorite passage in the entire bible. I know that there truly is growth within silence, and that is where some of our best growth buds and blooms from, but I know sometimes I don't like to sit in the silence. Part of me wants to stay busy, with noise, and things happening constantly, so there is no room for silence. But I've learned that being still in those silent moments is the best place for me to be, the best place for me to share, and the best place for me to grow.

A New Day

A new day has started, but it's the same old life. And I'm sick of it. I have been feeling these "nudges" for some time now, and I finally started to listen, and now, I'm finally ready to do something about it.

Thus, here we are, one of many new steps being taken in this blossom of my life, starring me!

I have so many goals, plans and hopes that I am striving for, not just dreaming about but truly working towards, and I have already seen differences, however small or big.

So This path of mine may start out small, but only God knows where it will lead me.