The approaching weekend, (Memorial Day) has been special to me for as long as I can remember. As a child, each year we  would take turns gathering at one of the many family homes for a barbeque. This of course was after my Father, Mother and Aunts would load us children into a car or two, sometimes three, to visit several cemeteries. Being the eldest I was usually the one sitting between all the flowers and wreath's until they were placed upon headstones or graves . That was because I didn't break, tweak, or damage the decoration before they got to their destination. I would sit with my eyes shut and focus on the fact that this weekend meant no more school, and summer was finally here. All I was concerned about was the barbeque, cousins, games, and being able to stay up late and catch fireflies, thinking fo no one but myself.

As I grew Older and understood the true meaning and history of Memorial Day, I didn't mind sitting among the flowers and wreaths, I felt it a privilege. I believe I was in the fifth grade when the teacher told the class about the origins of  Memorial Day. It began in 1868 (May 5) around the American Civil war when members of the Grand Army of the Republic asked thier commander, Civil War General John A. Logan, to decorate the graves of their fallen compatriots with flowers.  Memorial Day has since become the day on which the US honors the dead and fallen heroes of all its wars. ( I did not remember all this data, I did a little research). Some older people may refer to it as Decoration Day. Others, as I did before I was old enough to appreciate it, may think of it as the beginning of summer, or a day off work.

I was blessed with my first child on Memorial Day weekend in the mid. 60's. The Viet Nam War was still full force. I had a greater and deeper appreciation of Memorial Day by that time as many Americans did. We loss so many. Since then I have lost many friends, loved ones, and have heard of the lost of many young men and women in our Armed Services. My husband served in the Armed Services for 27 years. As many of our young men and women do, he grew up too fast, and saw things that most should never see.  Several of our children joined the Military, and at this time we have a grandson serving our country in a far dangerous place. I know that there are brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters from some family, every where serving and  keeping us free and safe.  They  too, the living, deserve our  thoughts, prayers, and thanks for their sacrifice this Memorial Day Weekend.  It's about remembering .

I still look forward to the barbecue's and family get togethers, but as an adult my heart is in a different place.
 I reflect back on those that have gone before us, to give us this freedom, to give us our life, liberty and justice for all. So, this weekend as you celebrate and honor our fallen heroes and loved ones, lift up those living young men and women serving their country. Make it habit that every barbeque you have, or attend, every day, that each  freedom thing that you can do, please stop and remember them! Pray for them, in your heart be grateful and  thank them. Memorial Day should be in everyones heart everyday not just Memorial Day Weekend.

God bless those reading this and God Bless America!

Ok, Ok, I know everyone has a flat tire at one time or another in their life time. But, to have one traveling at the speed of 65 mph and on interstate 10, by yourself, and at my age, was a hair raising adventure!
At first I didn't know what had happened, it happened so fast. This  sort of thing happens to others not me!

The loud popping sound startled me from thoughts of how I was going to spend the rest of my day, (There went all my great plans out the window and on the wind). I looked around and made sure I wasn't shot or anything like that, then about that time I was brought back  to reality by a roaring sound that vibrated the entire car. I thought to myself," what the heck just happen! The car wasn't pulling, but should I pull over? " "Of course you are not an idiot". I said out loud.

I slowly and calmly put on my emergency lights and made my way into the right lanes and off onto the right shoulder. After several attempts I was able to get out of the car to see what had just  happened. Maybe my engine fell out!  Well you guessed it.... big ole flat tire, right rear passenger side. Now what do I do? I can't change a tire, I'm 67 years old and can't turn no darn lug nut!  

I called my husband, (thank God for cell phones) I told him I was hyperventilating,and had just survived a terrible flat tire incident! Now, I would like to say at this point I know what to do in case of an road side emergency, but there where two insurance cards in the glove box and I had no ideal which one we were covered under. ( lesson number 1, know who your carrrier is) So, after learning that we had Geico I gave them a call. (I love that Lizard)!

The young man at Geico was more than helpful, he asked me if I was alright, and if would I like some help! "Excuse Me, that is why I am calling".  Kidding aside, he was very helpful. I will give that young man  a good review when I get the form, he  deserves it. He took care of everything for me!  All I had to do was sweat. He called the Highway Patrol and a roadside service for me, also informed me that it would be take forty to forty five minutes for the service truck to reach me, but the highway patrol would be there soon. As promised the patrol car was there within minutes. 

 Now, I was in tears, I had to pee, it was hot, hot, hot. 98 degrees plus. I was  beginning to get scared with all the traffic flying by me so fast that the car  would shake...I had little water left... OH NO! I'm stranded in the desert with
little water. ( lesson number 2, always take triple amounts of water when  crossing the desert) You tend to drink twice as much when you are having an  anxiety attack!

The officer was very professional and comforting. He escorted me to the sqaud car to sit with him while we waited for the service truck, he could sense my frustration and anxiety. (Lesson #3, you can turn your air conditioner on if you have a flat tire.) No, I am not blonde!  Also, my face was so red from the heat that  Rudolph would have hid his nose in shame standing next to me!

Soon the service truck arrived, twenty minutes early! Yea! I was sent another professional, courteous man! He put the little donut of a spare tire on for me and explain the do's and don't's of driving with it until I could get to a tire shop. I shook both mens hands and thanked them for their help, compassion, and understanding. Both men  watched as  I safely pulled  back on the freeway and drove off into the noon- day sun! Gary Cooper would have been proud of my exit!

Well now, what can I say! I am not a bored person, nor am I boring or go around looking to be entertained everywhere I go. But, on more than one occasion I have been unexpectedly entertained.
Take yesterday for an example.
 
I went outside for my daily dose of vitamin D (at least twenty minutes) got myself comfortable and was enjoying the desert sun before it got to hot.  All of a sudden a slight movement caught my attention. At first I could not make it out, was it a feather, was it a piece of paper the breeze was playing with, what in the world was it? 
 On further investigation I realized that the object was a feather being transported by a small ant. I know right!
 We are told they can carry twenty times their weight but this piece for feather was five times as big as the ant.
 Yes, curiosity got the best of me. I settled back and waited for what would come next.

The little ant dropped it's cargo, walked all over it, tried a new position and walked on for a few more inches. There was a rock in it's pathway and I pondered if I should move the rock or watch what the ant would do.
 The evil side of me decided to just watch and see how the ant handled the situation. (A lesson for me maybe?)
What came next was surprising. He let go of his cargo,stopped, walked over and around the rock at least five or six times, stopped again!  Next the ant picked up the feather at the very end and walked backwards over the rock!
 It took several attemps but it made it over. 

On the other side of the rock, somehow without dropping it, the ant repositioned the feather over its head as if it were an umbrella shading him from the heat. (Intelligence)! I watched the little ant for three feet or (20 mins.) drag that feather to the ant hill. The colony must have set it and moved in overnight. As the little ant approched the colony it was greeted as if it were a long last relative (more likely a super star) or the moving van with the last piece of furniture. After a few minutes of watching acrobactic manuvers the feather disappeared underground along with its transportation.

It dawned on me at that moment how social these little insects are. How determined to get a job done. Never giving up even to the death. They are amazing! Then out of the blue from the file cabinet of my mind came,
 "Go to the ant, consider her ways, and be wise" . At that moment I realized that not only had I been entertained but was taught a lesson. I give up to easy sometimes. I want to quit with it gets rough sometimes, I want to put off tomorrow what I really could be doing today sometimes.... I'm talking about myself now, so don't take this personally unless the shoe fits you too. So, with this said if you ever want to be entertained cheaply and learn a lesson too go find an ant hill, watch and learn....OH, and the reason the ant is referred to as a "her" is because the males do  nothing but breed with the queen and die shortly after, so all the workers are female!

Thank you for reading this and your time spendt. I do appreciate it. This is one of the things that I have been putting off doing for a long time...... writing my thoughts... Please leave me a comment, they too are appreciated.

Looking back at my life and the losses that I have experienced, writing my own epitath to save my family from being lost for words seemed the only thing to do.  I know, I know, what a topic to be discussing on my first blog! But, it is one we all should address and be prepared for. Trust me, this will just give you a better look at who I am and the way I think.
The following words are addressed to all my family and friends and in case I lost the hard copy they will be able ro find it on my blog.  
                                                                           My Last Request
Please don't cry for me if I should one day leave this world as we know it.... because I will be swimming with the dolphins and riding on sea turtles. I will kiss each wave as it crests and follow it to shore. I will soar with Eagles and fly with Angels and when I get tired I will paint butterfly wings. The dragon fly will carry me across rivers and streams. On long flights we will rest on the boughs of kayaks and canoes... and sometimes we may land on your nose just to say "Hi". The raven will bring me messages and carry me thru the heavens with doves at my side.

Once in a while you may see me with a wolf at play... or skating on an iceberg with the polar bear one day. I'll stop and hug trees and dance on their leaves as the winds of the earth carries me far to places I've never been.
The owl will give me wisdom and tell me what to do if by chance I would come by a tiger or two. Oh, lets not forget the roses, I will be playing there among them, climbing up thorny stems to smell their fragrance and bask in their beauty. I'll jump from rose to rose... you may think you've seen a fairy or a bee but no look closer it may be just me. I may be on a falling star streaking across the sky, that will get your attention! 

No matter what you do or where ever you go please know that the heart goes on and I am only a thought away. 
I'll be busy having so much fun... I will be watching over you.... each and every one. I will not say that this is the end. Only God knows where life starts and ends. He is the creator of all things, the mountains, seas, each grain of sand.. fearlessly and wonderfully even man. 

Be still and look closely, see the Master's hand. So, please don't cry when I'm gone but celebrate with me the wonderful gift given by God, life.