'Happy' Memorial Day??

I read this the other day and felt the need to share it.
Some people need to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.


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"Every year at this time I fight with the idea that people tell me "Happy Memorial Day". People that know me, know what Ive gone through... still say it to me. Family still says it. For the rest who say it, do you think that there is anything "happy" at all about remembering all those who have died for this country? I blog about this every year and I dont think there will ever be a year that I dont. When I hear those three words my skin crawls."Happy Memorial Day"...it seems to just flow of the tongues of those around us. As though Memorial Day is just any other "holiday" to be celebrated with joy and happiness. When someone says "Hey Happy Memorial Day" what exactly are they so "happy" about? Maybe its the extra 20% or 30% they will get off beach towels at Macys, or maybe its the fact that they are off work, cooking out and not paying any attention to why they are really off work. Do these "happy" people take any time during their day off to share a moment thinking of those who paid the ultimate price for them to be off work and cooking out, or shopping "the big sale"??Do people take the time to teach and show their children the importance of Memorial Day? Do they take them to a National Cemetery and show them all the lives that have been lost, tell them what that means for those who are still alive? Do they educate their children to show respect to those who have fallen for all the freedoms we take for granted every damn day? Do they just take a moment, a simple moment in their day to show that they care, or understand what the day is about?My first Memorial Day I was not willing to admit that it had anything to do with Chris. We had always gone and placed flags at grave sites on this day. My first Memorial Day I did the same thing with Oliver and Owen in tow. But on that first one, there were more deaths. A CPT Alex Funkhouser was killed while in the line of duty not only to his country but to US reporters in Iraq. I knew that all that I had been feeling since January 5, his wife would now feel too. My heart broke for I knew every Memorial Day she would have a double heart wrenching reminder of her husband's death. I knew that she would face Memorial Day and the 29th of May, double days for her. Little did I know that this wife, now a new widow like me would become one of my best friends. Little did I know that she had two girls close to my two boy's age. Little did I know that our lives ran in such a parallel manner.My second Memorial Day I took the boys and we went to Virginia to see Chris' mom. I wanted to spend this Memorial Day with Chris at Arlington. I wanted the boys to see that they were not only, not alone; but that they could still be near their father. As that day went on there were more cameras taking pictures of them by the Chris' grave.(One made it to the front page of the Washington Post the next day) There were families that just stood there, paying their respects and as the tears flowed down their cheeks they watched Oliver fix a flag by Chris' grave. They watched Owen pluck the heads of the flowers there and they watched a mother with tears in her eyes as she realized this was her reality, this was her life. Watching her two boys "play" with or by their father...the only way they ever would be able to.As I looked around and saw their faces, their tears and their heads shaking back and forth; I realized that yes there are those out there that dont say "Happy Memorial Day", they come to Arlington to pay their respects to OUR fallen. They come to be with those who have paid the ultimate and spend time with their families. There was a father there, in uniform and beside him was his little son in BDUs. They stood at attention as TAPS played. I was so taken by this that I asked him why he does this with his son and he said "death is a part of life, death for your country is going beyond what life can offer" "I want my son to realize what this day is for. Not just a day off school or work, I want him to understand and respect the magnitude of what and who and why we have set this day aside to honor and remember those who have died in combat". I burst into tears, gave him a big hug and as I let go of him he and his son saluted the boys and I and then went to salute Chris. (Gosh I have tears running down my face typing this) I have never seen the true meaning in any one person's eyes of what Memeorial Day means to them then that of those eyes that day.So I ask that if you dont know anyone who has been affected by a war death, to please at least teach your children what Memorial Day is for. Take them to a National Cemetary and place a few flags, go on and google Memorial Day, teach them about what this day means. This is just a small thing to do, teach your kids what this country is about, teach them why we need to stand up for it, love it, and protect it. That is the BEST way to honor our fallen, those who faught and died for what they beleived in. For those familieas that struggle everyday without their loved one, this is a small gesture for them too. It tells us that our loved one, did not die in vein. If you do know someone who has lost someone to a war, this one or any previous, please take the time to just tell them you are thinking about them, you are greatful and love them. But please dont say "Happy Memorial Day" to them...for us there is nothing "happy" about it.To all my widsters that might read this, know that on Memorial Day, your Anniversaries and every day of the year, I think of OUR HEROES! I think about your families, your pain, your hearts your children and your happiness. For those who have lost a family member to previous wars, my heart and my thoughts are always with you too. Thank you for your loved ones service to our great nation, I am forever in their debt for their sacrafice.May this Memorial Day bring you comfort in knowing that our Great Nation aknowledges and says "Thank You" for the sacrafice OURS and THEIR HEROES have made for us and them!May we raise a glass to OUR HEROES! WE love you...We miss you...We are proud of you....We are forever YOURS!"

A-Z All about me!

I saw this on a friends blog and thought it was cute!

A. AREA CODE: 808 right now, though a 501 in cell phone and in my heart!
B. BED SIZE: Full...would love it to be bigger!!!
C. CHORE YOU HATE: Cleaning the bathroom
.D. DOG'S NAME: Gizmo
E. ESSENTIAL "START THE DAY!" ITEM: Breakfast!!
F. FAVORITE COLOR: Pink
G. GOLD OR SILVER: White gold
H. HEIGHT: 5' 8"
I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: I played the piano and clarinet when I was younger
J. JOB: stay at home wife/mom
.K. KIDS:first one on the way!
L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Hawaii James, Gizmo and pretty soon baby!
N. NICKNAME: Court, or some people say Court Court ;) lol
M. MOM'S NAME: Rebekah, but everyone calls her Becky
O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: 6th grade, concussion and broken arm
P. PET PEEVE: I have a lot of them....
Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE: hmm...dont know?!
R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY?: Righty
S. SIBLINGS: 1 brother
T. TIME YOU WAKE UP: when I wake up...usually around 8ish
U. UNDERWEAR: ohh lala... haha!!
V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE: tomatos
W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE: Im usually not late, unless I over sleep but if its something important I dont over sleep!
X. XRAYS YOU'VE HAD: teeth and wrists

Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE: lasagna
Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE: giraffes!

A Series of Events

So this has been an awful week. If its not one things its another. Every so often the unit does these marriage retreats, all expenses paid at a nice hotel or resort on the island for a weekend. Our Batallion has one coming up and we were so excited. Well come to find out, we didnt get selected (maybe the Army thinks we have a good enough marraige?! lol just kiddin). I was pretty bummed about that, seeing as it is my birthday weekend and that would have been a great (free) present! Then today James calls me and says that he got assigned his very frist staff duty, on my birthday, which means he has to work all night and doesnt come home until the next morning. BUMMER!! I get to spend my birthday night alone now, and I was pretty upset about it. Keep in mind, I am pregnant and hormonal, so the slightest bit of bad news makes me want to cry for hours...so I know I am probably over reacting a little. So by this point, I'm so mad at the Army for ruining my week!
Earlier in the week he had a working lunch where they talk to the Battalion Commander about upcoming events and what not. He told me that at the meeting he asked the Colonel if he would get to stay for the birth of the baby. The Col. told him "More than likely if your due date is within 30 days of the unit going to Iraq, then you can stay, but we will keep you posted" (which we are w/in the 30 days). In my mind this is good news, but I know the Army and therefore I know not to really get my hopes up. Ultimately he has a job that he signed up to do and it is his duty to serve his country, and I fully understand that. And of course with all the other bad news this week from the Army I wasnt really getting my hopes up....
So I'm still all mad about my birthday being ruined, when I get a text that it has been confirmed that he gets to stay for Connor's birth! My attitude completely changed at this point. I felt so bad for getting mad/upset over the small things, when its the big things that really matter. We are both so greatful that he will get to stay. Next to our wedding day this will be the biggest day of our lives, and I dont know what I would have done if we werent together for it. I do know that there have been plenty of military families out there who have had to do it (my best friend Sarah being one of them) and I definatly feel for them. I have worried about this ever since we found out about deployment. I am glad that this is no longer something we will have to worry about. I want to say thank you to the Batallion Commander for letting James stay, and to God for answering our prayers, and to everyone who has been praying about this! We are truly blessed.