Twenty years ago, with my husband deployed in Operation Deseret Storm, and my mother by my side, I received the most precious gift -- Richard Earl Ray, II. Rich was born weighing in at 8lbs 13ozs. He had strawberry red hair and was so alert and inquisitive from the very start. He held his little head up trying to see everything on his way to the nursery. He crawled at 3 months and walked at 9 months. For almost a year he was all mine! I loved every second with him. I would rock him every night until he fell asleep, and later it became our story time.
Rich has been not only my son, but my buddy. For 11 years of his life it was just the two of us. We've shared a lot of good times and interesting conversations. I've watched him grow and mature from the independent little guy he was to the independent young adult he is today.
I am constantly amazed and surprised by him. Among other things, he is outgoing (didn't get that from me)and artistic (runs in the family). He is a deep thinker and I'm surprised by the things he says, writes and thinks. He is a wonderful and unique artist, capturing a lot with his photography. I'm so thankful for this gift. Happy Birthday, Rich!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Hero's Return
As I write this, I have been crying for the past 20-30 minutes. Yes, I am a "boob" and Yes, I am patriotic. It's always hard to hear of a fallen soldier, but today this fallen soldier is one of our own.
I knew it was today, but somehow I forgot -- I remembered as I went in to town today to retrieve the mail. Flags at half-mast, people and flags lining the streets, fire trucks out, and intersections blocked off. To look at the scene you would think there was a parade. However, instead of the usual festive atmosphere there is a somber and quiet presence. I guess in a sense there is a parade -- a fallen soldier/Hero has come home.
The soldier -- Jordan Byrd, a 19-year old who had only been deployed for three weeks, who left behind a wife and young son, born only three and 1/2 weeks ago. The nephew of a friend, the husband of one of my son's classmates. Jordan was a medic who was shot in Afghanistan while helping a fellow soldier. His unit was ambushed. Jordan paid the ultimate sacrifice and he will not be forgotten.
On this day I shed tears along with his family, friends and strangers. I couldn't be there physically to give him a hero's welcome, but I was there in spirit. Thank you Jordan for your sacrifice! Thank you to all our men and women in the armed forces and especially their families, who also make great sacrifices.
I knew it was today, but somehow I forgot -- I remembered as I went in to town today to retrieve the mail. Flags at half-mast, people and flags lining the streets, fire trucks out, and intersections blocked off. To look at the scene you would think there was a parade. However, instead of the usual festive atmosphere there is a somber and quiet presence. I guess in a sense there is a parade -- a fallen soldier/Hero has come home.
The soldier -- Jordan Byrd, a 19-year old who had only been deployed for three weeks, who left behind a wife and young son, born only three and 1/2 weeks ago. The nephew of a friend, the husband of one of my son's classmates. Jordan was a medic who was shot in Afghanistan while helping a fellow soldier. His unit was ambushed. Jordan paid the ultimate sacrifice and he will not be forgotten.
On this day I shed tears along with his family, friends and strangers. I couldn't be there physically to give him a hero's welcome, but I was there in spirit. Thank you Jordan for your sacrifice! Thank you to all our men and women in the armed forces and especially their families, who also make great sacrifices.
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