Week 68
Positive post Sunday, June 3, 2018- Week 68.
“Family is Forever”.
I was fortunate to spend the past few days with my son Jeff and his family at their home in North Carolina. I was blessed to be there to celebrate my grandson Andrew’s 8th birthday and attend his “Power Rangers” party in person and with his friends and their families. Happy Birthday Andrew, it was great to meet your fiancé, Helen (lol)!!
While enjoying the party, I had the honor of meeting some of Jeff’s fellow Army soldiers and their families. I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride and patriotism as I watched them all enjoy each other and their children, all of whom were very polite and well behaved. This was far more than a party to me, it was an opportunity to witness and experience the love, support and comradery of OUR military families. All the soldiers and their families I had the privilege to meet have had to endure the challenges of deployment (some multiple times), sacrificing precious and quality time with their young and growing families. I am certain they have all had much to cope with, but from my eyes, their love of family and support for each other is inspiring and I’m certain will guide them through the toughest of times. Through their experiences and journeys together, they have formed a deep and sustaining bond that the common civilian can’t possibly comprehend.
As you may know, many of our soldiers have tattoos, most with deep meaning to them (I know Jeff’s represent important symbols of his family that he takes with him wherever he goes). Of all the tattoos I saw, one stood out, Mickey’s tattoo that read, “Family is Forever”. Although I didn’t get a chance to ask him the story behind it, the words themselves are clear. Our families are a gift from the good Lord and, although all families have challenges, our love and support for each other should be forever, withstanding the turbulence we all face as we move through our life journeys.
I am deeply grateful for the service of all our armed forces and the sacrifices they have all made for our freedom, something I will never take for granted, especially after meeting a few of our Army’s finest and their families. Hooah Jeff, Mickey, Meat, Dave and Tyson, my prayers are with you and your families, “Family is Forever”!