For This I am Thankful

My daughter and several of my friends have been doing daily Facebook postings about what they are thankful for since it is the month of Thanksgiving. I've been writing these blogs every day and haven't taken the time to do that as well so today I am going to share as much as I can of what I am thankful for.

First, my family. My mom is unpredictable and has a sense of humor that has to be experienced to fully understand. I am so grateful she has that back. After a stroke and the loss of her home due to Hurricane Katrina it was missing for a while. I am thankful that  she has been able to regain it.

My daughters Laura and Mariah. They are the greatest, most beautiful works of art that I will ever have a hand in creating. They are strong, vibrant women that make me proud every single day just by being themselves.

My son-in-law Skyler. I have said on many occasions that had the Lord himself allowed me to design a mate for my daughter, my version would not have been as good. He is as good as they come; a great husband and father.

My grandsons Dylan and Daxton. They are 2 of the most spirited and loving boys ever to grace the planet.

All the rest of my relatives, those still around and those that have passed. Each one has been an example to me in one form or another. Even my crazy little brother.

My job as a nurse at a nursing home. It wears me to the bone sometimes and other times it uses up every last shred of emotional reserves I have and then some. It also provides moments of closeness and laughter that could not be found anywhere else. And it provides a comfortable existence for me as well, can't ignore that. 

My friends. I might not have 400+ listed on Facebook and Twitter but the handful that are in my life more than make up for it. I have always placed quality over quantity and I have to say, my friends are true quality!

I am also thankful for the material things in my life such as a nice apartment and a working car. There are other material things in my life now that are nice to have, though in the end they aren't really of that much importance. I have started over with next to nothing several times and have come to see the non-essentials for what they are. I am thankful for my perseverance and ability to rebuild my life to suit my own dreams. 

And finally, I am thankful for finally reaching a point in my life where I can see what I have and be grateful rather than looking at what I don't have and being disappointed. 

Veterans Day at the travelling Vietnam Wall

Yesterday was Veterans Day. I want to say Thank You (which isn't really enough!) to all my fellow veterans, currently serving and throughout history. Sometimes I feel odd calling myself a veteran. Yes, I was in the Air Force for 6 years but the roughest things I faced were basic training and technical school! So, I give an extra special Thank You to those who fought so much harder through much greater hardships and for those who never made it back home.

Yesterday was also one of those cold, rainy, dreary days that November in Oregon typically has to offer. But, the travelling version of the Vietnam Veterans Wall was here in Portland on display and I wanted to see it. Despite the nasty weather it was obvious I was not alone as soon as I arrived.

The memorial is just beyond the line of sight.

I got lucky and found a parking spot about halfway down the line of cars. There were golf carts taking people back and forth but I had my umbrella so I walked up, taking my time to take it all in. It is 3/4 of the size of the actual monument in Washington D.C., but it seems so much bigger than its actual size. There are 58,261 names engraved on those massive panels, including 1200 who are missing in action. There really are no words for the things I felt looking at that wall so here are a few pictures. 

Until tomorrow!