Go to From Damn Near Hell To Almost Paradise
- Add a comment
- Go to "Happy" Memorial Day
Spitfire
Thank you. While I know you don't particularly agree with this conflict, you have always been very respectful of my situation and my position, I can't tell you how much I truly appreciate that. I have never asked anyone to agree, just that they understand I have a different opinion. You have ALWAYS done that and for that reason you have my deepest respect.
posted by
bel_1965
on May 31, 2006 at 4:49 AM
| link to this | reply
I remember....
And I always will. I'll always remember and appreciate everyone involved; the soldiers and the families. No matter how I feel about this war or any others in the past. And, I'll always appreciate you and your writings. Thanks for all of it. And thank you, too, Carl.
posted by
SpitFire70
on May 31, 2006 at 2:25 AM
| link to this | reply
Shelly
That is VERY good news!!!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 3:01 PM
| link to this | reply
bel, thank you so much for the idea, I will do that with my kids!
Oh, btw......good news. The father will not be going to Iraq after all! I found this out today. He will be away from his family for a year though. He will be in D.C. He leaves Thursday. Yes, he will be leaving his family, but at least he will be somewhere, that's safer. I will still use your idea. Thanks again!
posted by
shelly_b
on May 30, 2006 at 3:00 PM
| link to this | reply
I know, Bel, I know
I've learned from experience that it is the common things we all share that make a bond, the little things mean so much rather than ideology. In fact, I think most people have more in common than we realize, we're just people, you know?
posted by
Blanche.
on May 30, 2006 at 2:35 PM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
I so wish just for that one day people would put thier political opinions aside and simply honor those who have and are serving...but I suppose that is wanting too much!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 2:30 PM
| link to this | reply
Bel,
I didn't go to any memorials or celebrations. I am pretty independent politically and Seattle is very leftie, so any celebrations are always marked with a very anti-war theme, which gets old. Like a friend says about folk singers, their attitude seems to be "We're in favor of peace, love, and the environment, unlike the rest of you squares", who doesn't agree in principle?
posted by
Blanche.
on May 30, 2006 at 2:26 PM
| link to this | reply
Sturgis
Thank you so much!!!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 12:14 PM
| link to this | reply
Excellent points, Bel. Great tribute!
posted by
Sturgis
on May 30, 2006 at 12:08 PM
| link to this | reply
Passion
It was in the 90's and we were outside in the sun all day...add humidity to that and drinking nothing but soda and well...I paid the price!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 9:33 AM
| link to this | reply
What a touching post.
Hope you guys had a blast yesterday playing with silly string and water balloons.
Do you actually get heat sickness in Michigan??? They barely have a summer there.
posted by
Passionflower
on May 30, 2006 at 9:25 AM
| link to this | reply
Whacky
Thanks so much!!!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 5:01 AM
| link to this | reply
Factor
It's just one of those odd things for me. Granted we do alot of things during the weekend, especially since our daughters birthday often falls during that weekend but we usually take the time to attend at least one memorial ceremony. I don't mind the celebration as there is cause to celebrate as we live in a free country, I would just prefer to see it done in a way showed respect for the day.
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 5:01 AM
| link to this | reply
Shelly
If I may offer a suggestion for you and your student. Have your other students makes a card, notes, whatever for this student to pass on thier father. It will do two things. 1. Make that soldier feel good 2. Most importantly it will let that child know that others care.
Our daughter was with her bio mom during Carl's deployment and there were some horrible things said to her by both children and ADULTS to her about what her daddy was doing. Pam is Daddy's girl through and through. This was very hard on her because she felt like nobody cared about her dad. As family we really don't want much for ourselves but what we do want is to know that SOMEONE cares about our soldiers.
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 4:58 AM
| link to this | reply
bel, it's nice to know that Carl is home. At the school were I teach,
the father of one of the kids is leaving for Iraq this week. He will be gone for a year. I am worried for this family he leaves behind, but all I can do is hope that he returns safe and sound. 
btw.....thanks for commenting on my blogs, I appreciate it!
posted by
shelly_b
on May 30, 2006 at 4:51 AM
| link to this | reply
BlackPearl
What a lovely way to spend it and wonderful way to look at it! Thank you!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 4:49 AM
| link to this | reply
Blanche
It truly was a happy day, even though I managed to get sick from the heat and spent most of it sleeping LOL!
He was home and safe and for me that was all I wanted out of life!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 4:48 AM
| link to this | reply
Wiley
Thank you so much sweetie! Now today is Hydro man day isn't it? Make sure you keep us uprised of the situation!!!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 4:46 AM
| link to this | reply
Avant
We have many, many lakes in Michigan and there are a few smaller ones that every year are shut down due to pollution, etc... that makes them unsafe for swiming. I LOVE Lake Michigan.
Your dad is from Grand Rapids!!!! Carl's unit is from Greenville, not far from Grand Rapids at all, I spent a good deal of time fund raising in GR last year! Such a small world.
posted by
bel_1965
on May 30, 2006 at 4:45 AM
| link to this | reply
bel
I am very happy for you, especially on this holiday. Were you talking about Lake Michigan being toxic? My dad hails from Grand Rapids. He died in 1989, but his family still resides there.
posted by
avant-garde
on May 30, 2006 at 3:28 AM
| link to this | reply
bel 1965
I am happy you are together again luv, after all that heartache and sadness.
"One can endure sorrow alone, but it takes two to be glad."
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 29, 2006 at 6:36 PM
| link to this | reply
Bel_Red,
I am so happy for you that Carl is home getting goofy with the kids and funky with you 
, as well as doing the yardwork. I don't have a yard, but when my boyfriend first moved in he won my heart by carrying a tv (this was before we had a car again), on three city buses to get it home (he bought it, of course). That and the vacuum cleaner he lugged home.
Like I said ,in my post, I am so happy not to be one of those wives or girlfriends either and my heart goes out to them. I love "Gideon" so much, I don't even want to think about it.
"Happy Memorial Day" may not be the best thing to say to you, but I am very happy for you, Carl, and Pam.
posted by
Blanche.
on May 29, 2006 at 3:44 PM
| link to this | reply
Hi, bel_1965,
I agree it sounds a bit odd to say, "Happy Memorial Day", when we consider its origins, but I try to think of it this way. Countless others have gone before us, making commitments and sacrificing their very lives in order to preserve yours and mine and those they love. These commitments and sacrifices were made so that we could enjoy life. The fact that the day coincides with the "unofficial" beginning of summer, seems a fitting tribute when I think about it that way. We could call it a celebration of life, as well as an honoring of memories.
Also, when my family has, what I've heard called "Decoration Day", going to cemetaries and cleaning grave sites, and laying wreaths and flowers, we plan the whole day and end it with a family picnic to enjoy our family that is still with us. Of course, due to my lifestyle, I've missed the last few "Decoration Days", but they know I'm thinking of them, and I know they're thinking of me, as well as our loved ones past. Anyway, it helps to make an otherwise sad day a hopeful, bright day. Just my thoughts. Thanks. :)
posted by
BlackPearl1
on May 29, 2006 at 3:33 PM
| link to this | reply
Yes, I agree! How did it become a "party time?"
"Happy Memorial Day" is awful if you think about it...I guess many people do not...
posted by
FactorFiction
on May 29, 2006 at 2:26 PM
| link to this | reply
Good point. We must remmber.
posted by
Whacky
on May 29, 2006 at 2:24 PM
| link to this | reply
LOL Passion
Yes they did! The jury is still out as to who won Carl or the kids!!!
posted by
bel_1965
on May 29, 2006 at 9:29 AM
| link to this | reply
Did we play with our toys yet?
Water balloons? Silly String???
posted by
Passionflower
on May 29, 2006 at 9:13 AM
| link to this | reply