30 Days of Thanks: Day 11- A Tradition

Today is Veteran's Day, so it seems fitting that the tradition I'm thankful for is our military. I find myself humbled on a regular basis by those who choose to serve our country and protect our ideals and our freedoms. As the daughter of an Air Force veteran and the grand-daughter of Navy veteran, I am immeasurably proud today. I'm proud of them every day, but today I get to take a few minutes out of my day and really think about all that they've done.

So to all those soldiers and their families- Thank you. The sacrifices you make are not easy, but they are appreciated. Though we frequently take them for granted, we would be lost without the opportunities provided to all of us through your sacrifices.

{image found via pinterest}

September 11, 2001

The internet is filled today with thoughts about that day and the people who lost their lives, and the survivors who lost friends and family members. I consider myself to be incredibly blessed that everyone I love was safe that day. I know how easy it can be to take that safety for granted.

I think there were many of us who, up until that day, took a lot for granted. Our safety was certainly one thing, but our freedom was another. We are so lucky to live where we do and to have the choices and options that we do. To live, to learn, to worship, to love the way we choose is not a God-given right elsewhere in the world. It's far more unique than any of us want to believe it is.

There's so much that we have to celebrate, and a day like today helps us remember that. It's hard to think of September 11th and celebration in the same sentence. It almost feels insensitive or disrespectful. But we have to celebrate life. We have to. We have to celebrate opportunity. We have to celebrate everything that makes this country and its people great- the things that make us different and the things that bring us together.

Today is a difficult day for many people, for many reasons. Today, I am grateful. I am grateful for my husband and my parents. I am grateful for our family and our friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to make choices. I am grateful to live in a place that allows me to have those freedoms and more. And most importantly, I am grateful that there are people who fight to protect those freedoms and the people that I love.

So today, take some time to be thankful for all that you have, and make sure you tell someone that you love them.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Today is one of those days where I find myself immeasurably humbled by all that others have done for me. My freedom shouldn't be something I take lightly. I take it for granted on a regular basis, and sometimes forget just how fortunate I am to live where I do. Regardless of your politics, and your feelings towards war and fighting, be grateful today. Take the time to say thank you. Take the time to really think about what you have. I'm willing to bet that you'll be surprised by just how lucky you really are, and that the people protecting what you have will mean a little bit more to you today because you've taken that time.

The fact that there are men and women fighting all across the globe  and at home to defend my rights, and keep my home safe from those who would take those freedoms away is almost beyond my comprehension. How can people be so selfless? How can people care so much as to risk their lives for someone, many someones, they've never met and never will? That's bravery and courage at it's finest.  

Freedom is a blessing, and I am truly grateful.

To all who have served, including my dad and my grandfathers, and to all currently serving- THANK YOU!

American Flag Image from Textually.org, via Google Images search

Veteran's Day

I was posting on The Knot this afternoon while at work and the following post came up.

"List the Veterans in your life, living or not."

My list is pretty long, so here goes.

• Lambert Rebstock (mom's uncle)- WWII, POW in Japan
• 4 older Rebstock brothers, Matthew Mark Luke & John (we're Catholic can ya tell?, also mom's uncles)- WWII, died in action
• Walter Ditman- (mom's dad) WWII US Army
• Grandpa Ditman- (mom's grandfather) US Army
• Joseph Clark- (dad's dad) WWII US Navy
• Uncle Walter- (dad's uncle) WWII US Air Force
• Daniel Clark- (dad) Vietnam, US Air Force
• Zach Lang- (cousin) soon to be serving, US Navy
• Jason Schultz- (drew's best friend) currently serving & stationed in Iraq, US Army
• Danny DeArmond- (my friend Julie's brother) currently serving, US Air Force
• Karl Jacobs- (former boss/mentor) Vietnam, US Army
• John Poi- (dad's friend) Vietnam, US Army
• Vance Munsen- (dad's friend) Vietnam, Marine Corps
• Len Pietrusciewicz- (dad's friend) WWII, US Navy

Reading this list makes me cry. There are no words to express how grateful I am for the sacrifices these men made and are still making. I am truly humbled to consider them my family and my friends.