Please Be Grateful

Sometimes as busy as we are with the things of every day life, we tend to forget the small things that really matter. We tend to concern ourselves with issues that are so minute, such as being stuck in a stupid meeting or complaining about the guy in front of us in line that is taking way too long, and so on. So many of us also worry and gripe about things we want and think we need, when we have everything we could possibly ask for right in front of us. I am one of those people. as most of us probably are.........

I say this, because today i was brought back down to "earth" and realized how grateful i am! i was out running errands and minding my own business, jamming to my music, when all of a sudden traffic was stopped by a few Montgomery Police officers at a busy intersection. Of course I was thinking to myself, "Great, what the hell could possibly be so important that they need to stop traffic?" Well, my selfishness was suddenly wisked away by mascara running down my face while crying hysterically as i saw an escort for a funeral service go by. At first, i thought nothing of it, until i saw about 20 motorcycles in the escort with their American Flags and POW/MIA Flags. i then knew this was a soldier that must have gotten killed overseas. Car after car going through with soldiers dressed in their blues and other uniforms, there had to be about 10 or 15.

it was overwhelming for me to see. for so long i pushed those feelings of remorse and sadness away. after fighting over seas myself for our Countries Freedom and seeing the things i saw and had to do, whether it was humane or not, i decided when i got back home i would hide that part of my life from myself and others. it took 2 yrs. after my deployment to get rid/hide those demons...............and today, i just so happened to see a fellow soldier being recognized for the ultimate sacrifice, and realized those demons are very much still a part of my life. and always will be. as i cried while the service went through the intersection, it was my ultimate duty and honor to get out of my car and salute! he or she is a fellow comrade and a brother/sister to me. regardless if we ever walked across each other's path. i feel remorse for the family who has to suffer through this rough time of burying their loved one. and i thank God for all of those who have come home, and pray for those who haven't. May God Bless!

So i ask of you, and myself, to please be grateful for what you have and the precious life God has given you. as heart breaking as this moment was for me today, i'm glad i was a part of it! because now i am back down on "earth" and can again be reminded of how precious life is!!

Thank you for those who read this..........I love you all!!

Thanks for sharing Laura!

Thanks for the service for my freedom!

Thanks!

Laura that was a wonderful thing to read. You're right!!!

ps Thank you for serving our country You're #





My Dad was in the active army as well as the army reserves forever. He served 2 tours in nam as well. His dress uniform was/is so highly decorated - I am very proud of my dad. My grandfather and uncle were also in the army as well. My grand-dad fought in WWII.

Thanks guys! i appreciate all of you! as great as it feels to get credit from you all, i just want you all to know i shared this for all of our benefits...........it never hurts to be reminded how we all got here!

Damn girl, that's pretty deep. Thanks to you and all others that have served/serving to keep us free!!!

Thanks for sharing that Laura. I just wanna say that there is nothing more gratifying than talking with anyone that has served in our armed forces. Working at Snyders, i got to meet a ton of men and women on their way home from overseas since we are so close to the airport and hotels. The stories they told were just amazing and i could never imagine what it could do to someone unless they were there. I currently have a step brother in the marines and my dad was a marine as well. So my prayers go out to all soldiers and their loved ones so that they can return home safely.

Thank you all for taking the greatest responsibility that one can for their country.

Wow, how inspiring. I was having one of the "to hell with the universe" days myself, and that just gave me a good grounding. Life is short...

John

thanks for sharing laura... i kno how u feel...

i just lost my cousin who had downs last night... he just got moved to a home less then a month ago and has had the onset of Alzheimer's for the past 2 years... he came down w/ pneumonia about a week ago and was taken to the hospital three days ago... He was 53 years old and lived a great life... Seeing these things happen make u realize how lucky we are and how grateful we are 2 have great friends like everyone on here... His service is tom. and i will be a sad day but at least his suffer is over and he is in a better place...

Def good advice and thanks for sharing, I got lucky and served 3 peace-time years, have many friends that went over to the Sand-Box and thankfully made it back. Service men and women endure many hardships and sacrifices and should be thanked by everyone, no-matter what your political view may be, the troops on the ground need our support....again thanks for sharing and reminding us all that we are lucky, and that much thanks goes out to our troops

sorry for your lost Z...

Sorry to hear about your cousin Zak. I know how you feel. My fiance lost her brother back in September. He had Epilepsy real bad. He was only 12. Its hard on a family to loose someone like that.

thanks again everyone!!! and sorry to hear of your loss Zak. i know many times i am a goof, which we all should be, but if anyone ever seriously needs an ear to talk to, i am here for you!! we are family in this fine group of crazies!!! don't ever forget that!

i need an hear to talk to rora...

nice spelling

zporta wrote:i need an hear to talk to rora...

nice spelling

Don't fu*k up this thread Zak!! Oh and sorry to hear about your cousin.

Nicely written, Laura; thanks.

...and thanks to those that have and currently serve our country.