Topic : Is This Normal Social Discussion

As you know I have several members of my family and friends that are in and out of Iraq like there is a revolving door to it. lol Not one have I heard nay say their tours. All have made firm believers of me that we are in there doing the right thing. One of my cousin's father told me his son wants to go back that he loved helping the people there and that they were grateful we are there, that for the first time they were actually 'free'. Something we all take for granted sadly.  That cousin helped people that big day of voting, the one where the old people signed their names to the ballots because they were so proud to vote for the first time in their lives!!

Keep talking to people who have been there Janet and I think you will find real peace and pride in what is going on there. And remember he trained in one of the finest most advanced militaries in the world, and is doing what he has trained all this time to be ready to do. Mama worrying is normal hon, but also be very proud of him, our guys and gals need that most of all.

Oh and never forget bad news sells newspapers and the media feeds on garbage. My father when he was in the Vietnam war (he was there three years) used to tell mom not to believe but half of what they reported if that much. He despised news reporters for their need to sell being more valuable than the need for honesty.  Sadly there is so much they don't tell us, we only get to hear what apologists American's should be. Nonsense I say!! Pffft!  What is crazy is it takes a full time job of researching to debunk the horseshit the media feeds us regarding the war.

Remember this Janet, you know in your heart what is right and what it wrong. A country's leader that is killing his own people is wrong plain and simple. We did the right thing and now it is taking time to rebuild. Too many people in this country have a drive-thru window mentality and think a war should be over lickidy split. Right, it took us 35 years to stabilize our own government and country following the Revolutionary war, it took Europe 10 years following WWII, you simply do not rebuild a nation from the ground up over night. Everyone with any understanding of the goals knew this. Our media counts on people being too ignorant to understand the full extent of the goals. And sadly too often they are right. I am constantly amazed at those that have no inkling what our military is even doing in reality, but hell they know about dog leashes on prisoners necks and woohoo that makes them a freakin expert don't ya know!!! 

Eeeek, ok so I didn't mean to get on a soapbox and into a hissy fit over it all. Sorry bout that. I know that we don't often tackle hot topics here, but as this one is affecting not only you but also Kelly and I have very strong thoughts on the subject.  Not only that but isn't Kak's daughter in the service also?

It's ok to be scared for your guys and gals, it is normal. But they are doing what they have intensely trained and chose to do. Honor them and their mission!!!

Hugs,

~Ami

xoxoxox

Ok so I didn't mean that people are ignorant as in dumb or stupid, I mean that people are not familiar and therefore ignorant of the big picture goals...ignorant meaning uninformed.  (And the media counts on the public being uninformed and also being to busy to actually become informed...) Clear as mud?

<sigh> If I offended anyone it certainly wasn't my intent, when I reread my post it kinda sounded harsh which wasn't the intent at all.

Ok bed is calling,

~Ami ;)

Here, here.  Very well said.

Kelly, JP, KAK -- your loved ones who have put themselves in harm's way are doing a hero's work, and deserve all of our support and thanks.

I wrote a story some years ago called "Days Dwindle". Did I ever send that to you?  Anyway, it's all about a woman who goes to the bank and looks into her safety deposit box because she's trying to figure out what, if anything, to leave behind if someone indeed has to one day open up the box when she's no longer around.

It's not a morbid story - in fact it's kind of funny - the stuff that she finds in that box.  A copy of her will - all cold and legal, written in the best ten-dollar words money can buy.   "Love" is not one of them.  Old marriage certificates, phone numbers of her accountant and lawyer and stockbroker that are now redundant.   An old driver's licence.   There really is nothing of value in that box, nothing that she cares to leave behind.

So in the end, she decides to write a note to leave for her daughter, listing all of the things in her life that she's experienced and have made her smile.  Some goofy. Some awesome.  She realizes that stuff like that is really all she should leave behind.

I'm not sure if this is making any sense to you, my friend.  It's just that - in some way I understand your fear, be it for yourself or for your son.  When I wrote that story it finally hit me that I should be saying everything right now to my daughter and not leave her a piece of paper describing sunsets or first love or a puppy licking my face or how amazing it is to cultivate good friends.  That I should hug her and tell her how proud I am of her every chance I get - no matter what choices she or I make.  And that I love her, always.

Another day of my trip?  I'll get to it eventually!  For today though, you take precedence.

Love you.

Trace.

You never offend me.  If anything I don't respond because I truly am ignorant about political issues and your healthcare system.  You do give me pause (or as my cat Franco would say, PAWS, for thought).

I finally got to listen to your son's CD.  Thank you so much for sending it to me.  Truly beautiful - you and he should be so proud.

Shannon and I will play it as a bright light when the days get dreary.

Hugs to you, my Crusader.

xoxo

And I don't know that I actually wanted anyone to respond to be honest. It was just something I felt my close friends should know. I told my son "Why somebody's else's son and not mine?". And I am proud of him and our military and I do think we need to stay there. I often times talk to military guys and they tell me just about everything. We are still finding stalk piles of weapons and they certainly are trying to build a nuclear bomb. Still! And I thank them all the time and everytime I know they do/have served us and have every since 9/11. Alot of us at work do.

Am doing much better. It's just the shock to your system when you first hear the news. You just feel in your gut he won't come home the same person. Sorry Kelly if this it troubleing to you sweetie. Certainly not my motive. I just need to talk about this some. Am doin much better. And I know "it's gonna be what it's gonna be, and worrying isn't going to change anything." As I've often said.

It was then and is now really special. And I do try and tell my boys about my crazy life. Ya know I think that some people are just born to be part of the adventure and mine certainly is. The trip to Myrtle Beach is an example.

Work is just plain hilarous anymore. All day every day we laugh and play and it's just a blast. I didn't get to tell ya'll my mgr told me I couldn't use my  scooter at work. (I bought my own because I had no idea how much longer I'd have to use it, and am now using it less and less though I'm still having more problems than I should. Seems I've favored my left foot for so long I've messed up my right leg and hip and am in physical theraphy! Some of which is my fault I have to admit. It's this dang energy! lol) Anyway I told him the company could get sued and I now get to use it. I think he had a little "talk" with the baby boys I work with and everybody is being extremely nice to me. We are having a blast! We have 4 new people too that have the same work ethics as I do and I think we all out  number the ones that don't really want to work so they've decided to stop being so silly. The one guy that got me called into the office told me I needed a cheerleader outfit! lol I tease him all the time. "Jim? How come every single time  get called into the office you're the one that tells on me?" "Jim? This is Tuesday and I haven't gotten called into the office. Didn't I do something wrong this wkend?" Stuff like that. It's hilarious. Now we hug each other all the time and laugh and play and did I tell ya'll I love that job? Outside of the fact it's my niche, we are such a family in there and it's so great I could bust out of my skin with happiness.

And I do tell all that, or try, and always, always, always hug them when I see them and tell em I love em when they leave. And a hug there too! They know I'm nuts and I think they kinda like that about me. Never a dull moment. Was telling Jay about the scooter thing and said "Guess I should have talked to you two before not sueing cos I'd have gotten millions. Guess I screwed ya'll huh?" He laughed but said I should have.

I was telling my sisters about it on the fourth and they said "That company doesn't care about you Janet" and I said "Tim does" Patti (the one that works at the Clarksville store) said "No he doesn't" "Yes....he does!" Carol said "He cares about you Janet" "Thanks Carol. I need to hear that." "I know. You just needed to hear it. Doesn't have to be true, but you need to think it is". How cute is that? lol

Carol fell out of the car on her way in and scraped her elbow. Ellen had a scrape

 and was telling us how it happened, and told us Denise has been falling at work some. Not alot, but more than once. We were all talking about our medical things and I laughed and said "Can ya'll imagine the conversation we'll be having 10 yrs from now?" So we're all beginning to fall down I suppose. Golly! What a trip.

Anyway my intent was to say thanks but you ain't off the hook yet missy! I come here every single day hopeing to hear another day. By the end of this year, we may have "the rest of the story" at the rate you're going! Good thing you kept a journal. Wanna send it to me and I'll post it?

I wrote something down today that touched my heart and I wanted to share it for those of you that aren't on my email list.

We have a dream inside us

given to us at birth

To guide us and protect us

on our journey here on earth.

We all have something special,

each one of us unique.

You have to have the courage

to find the peace you seek.

So dream your dream, and live your dream.

Don't be afraid to try.

Just take your soul by the hand,

and let your spirit fly.

Wasn't that cool? Ya'll know I'm 54. I know stuff! HITYL?

I'm fifty-three.  When I grow up I hope to finally have the great qualities that all of the ladies on this board have shown and taught me over the years.  Things haven't been easy for us - but the optimism shines through.

(Just as an aside about your physical condition - when one foot gives out, the other one does try to compensate.  I know this for a fact.)

Love ya JP.