Tween the Teens

I was thinkin about the teen years. They can be so incredible. Incredible times of emotional growth. Incredible times of mental growth. Incredible times of physical growth. Incredible times of uncertainty and loneliness. I am tween the teens. I have teens at home and teens they like and teens they love. And I listen and read their comments and it reminds me. Oh, for the energy you all have. Oh for the passions. But, I do not wish I had the despair, the new knowledge of life's unfairness and uncertainty. My hat is off to you. You are all so much more than you know. You are more beautiful, more full of hope and promise. You are more full of right ideas and good ideas than you realize. It is my delight to be a part of your lives. It is strange to watch you and to feel that it wasn't that long ago that I was at your stage; ready for independence, teetering on the brink of it; terrified of it and wanting it so desperately. Thank you all for letting me have the privelge of some of your trust at this time.

Be Proud of Those Who are Proud to Serve

I WAS THINKIN about our military men and women. Those brave souls, past and present, who put themselves at risk so that I can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I was thinkin that our service personnel have not been paid in proper coin by those they serve. Once our nation involves itself militarily, the average citizen becomes very political. We are for the fight; we are against the action. In my opinion, those are wrong statements. We need to be for the fight before the fight; we need to stand against the action before we take action. I believe that once a single American life is at risk our nation needs to stand firmly behind the efforts of our military.

Citizens, American blood is being spilled around the globe. American lives are being changed forever. These are our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. We need to support them above all. Second to that would be the political issue. So when you chance upon one of our own in uniform, do not scoff; don't spit; don't be ungrateful. Take the time to shake their hand, give them a smile, offer a ride.

Without these courageous men and women, we might not even enjoy the freedom to disagree with our government in safety. We wouldn't have a free society with so much opportunity. We wouldn't have the educational system that is still one of the best in the world. We wouldn't have such a great medical system that non-Americans mortgage what they own to get here for services.

Finally, please extend the same grateful courtesies to the people who serve us domestically: State Troopers, Border Patrols, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Ambulance, Coast Guard and Air National Guard as well as Reserves.

From this happy, abundance-loving American, THANK YOU! Job well done!