Not only is today set aside here in America for remembering loved ones' sacrifices on behalf of our country, previous soldiers' deaths, but also a time of looking forward. This day has merged together in a rare way of remembrance & gratitude for me. Hopefully it has done so for you as well.
My oldest son is switching bedrooms & while gone on an annual camp get-together this weekend, my husband & I moved his things for him into the newly painted room. He is 17 and considering the military. He has previously been to a West Point Academy presentation & met with various recruiters for different branches of the military. Due to this, his room has many brochures & recruiting items, business cards, key chains, etc. He also has my father's hat. It was my father's hat from the when he was in the army, before there even was an air force. He was a B25 fighter pilot in WWII. His flag was flown today in my home town in a ceremony then placed in the local cemetery with those of the other fallen soldiers. It will be picked up by his brother & mailed to me tomorrow & I will proudly display it in our home with his medals. " I love you Daddy, I miss you & I honor you. I think you must be proud looking down on your oldest grandson as he prepares to forge ahead with college & a military career as well." Past & present merging.
I was on line with a friend today who lives in New Jersey. She is mostly vegetarian & married to a butcher-wouldn't ya know it?! She was appalled to learn that in Oregon many people live on venison (deer & elk meat) some even eat bear occasionally, buffalo, antelope, etc. I however, was equally appalled to learn that many people in her state eat alligators, turtles & eels & snakes! I nearly stepped on a large, brown, stuffed-animal-snake in my kitchen last night & again this morning pre-coffee. Coincidence or fate, merging our lives in some small connected way? I had to leave our instant messaging conversation for a bit because of a cracker emergency here on the home front: The 3 yr old had taken the whole box of crackers, minus the box, clutching the full inner-bag on the couch munching away & refusing to share. I had to explain that yes, I still love him, he's a good boy but needed to share the crackers. This brought many tears & pleas for more & reassurances. Good grief, they're just crackers for Pete's sake. By the way, who the heck is Pete?
Now I'm rambling again in some pointless direction. Just more insight to "Life in a Medicated Mind" I suppose. Otherwise known as: Life in my zoo. The morning chat with the same New Jersey friend was interrupted by an Internet call from Kazakhstan. I traded my pot roast recipe (& banana bread recipe for a Borsch recipe the night before). I was treated today to 2 music files, sharing their taste in music. I was able to get a glimpse of what their currency looks like as well. Sadly I was too broke to show our currency, should have raided the kids' tooth-fairy money but it was pre-coffee & I couldn't think that well. Today took 2 cups of coffee loaded with lots of real sugar followed by a Diet Coke! Ugh oh & yum. These Kazakhstan calls are like the opposite of that horrible movie: "Borat, Cultural Learnngs of Kazakhstan" or whatever the title of the dumb thing is. He has to explain to me how to do computer stuff at times & obviously knows 2 languages while I barely speak 1! This man was thrown from a car which flipped over 3 times at 70 mph & then with no ambulance availability was able to secure transport through co-workers to a hospital for treatment. All ambulance workers - I praise you & appreciate you greatly for the tough job you have & for doing it! How unfortunate that ambulance availability isn't a sure thing in every country, every area. While some things are different for us in different countries, I find that many things are the same & link us together-music, internet, relationships, values, movies, goals. I learned today that Green Cards have a season, like fishing or something! How bizarre isn't it?
Through this instant messaging program I was also fortunate to find a new acquaintance in Nigeria who is also becoming a friend. It is nice to have a way to feel connected to others no matter where in the world they are. I just hope my connecting with these people does not detract from connecting with the ones in physical proximity aka: family & local friends. It is a nice blessing for those of us who do not get out much to be able to converse with others from afar though. My husband told me this morning he will use this instant message program to find his next wife from Kiev after I stress myself to death.
This comment about dying from stress was made after I was in hysterics from my teenage daughter's comments, plans & actions. Thank God for xanax! It has been a de-railed roller coaster down-hill ride I tell you what! I know things will get better & everyone goes through this to a certain extent, all I can tell you is, it definitely makes me want to plan a vacation!!! However, not a vacation to New Jersey, I don't think alligator-hors d' orves could ever be a menu item for me! I remember back to my own unfortunate teen age years-once again, past meets present. Just not in a glorious way to be celebrated.
Well, my medicine is "kickin' in" & typing difficulties are rearing their ugly heads so I suppose medicated-intervention is telling me that this is all for today! Be well dear readers & be happy & be open to new relationships as well as renewing old ones, merge past & present in a meaningful way & my last & lingering instruction to you: be blessed!
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