HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS (and sisters)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO THE TRIPLETS

ELISABETH, ERIKA, EVA

...

Dr Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

still my hero today

as she dances across the galaxies

and so many still look to her through her books and vast knowledge gained by sitting bedside, and travels across the globe as she held the hands and listened to the hearts and stories of the dying.

Oh how we miss her brilliant smile,

her dedication to life and its wonder

and have to grin when thinking of her ways of letting all know that she indeed walked her walk, and let all know exactly what was on her mind along the journey.

 She was a pioneer, a visionary, a brilliant spectrum of color, of wording and of tenderness with those dying and the ones who love.

With a depth of oceans, and colors yet to be seen by rainbows as she graced the world and took others by storm riding lightning bolts

she now dances on in the Next Place;

and oh how I would just love to hear her thoughts now as so many jump to invent the grief wheel over and again, with theories, with revamping her phases and stages, and circles and cycles of death and dying, grief and loss, bereavement and the flight of the butterfly.

The magic, the music, the pain and the loss

along with the understanding that Dear Elisabeth gave so many along their very personal journey has allowed many to find the light of healing ways.

And today, out in Arizona her beautiful son Ken remembers his beloved Mom;

her sister remembers a lifetime shared

others in the family will remember

and will probably gather.

Elisabeth is watching

as ET would raise a finger

and say

"HOME"

we all hold her and remember her

and she made us feel at home, while recognizing that home is where and what lies within.

The light that burns brightly within us,

knowing that we

can and will survive tragedies, pain of loss and grief, if we choose to.

 A woman who traveled the world, and who knew loss; who was a survivor.

A woman who was brilliant and had a light within so bright that she shared it with others freely.

Happy Birthday

Dr Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

We give thanks for your life,

we Remember

and I am grateful.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

...

Today, we also light our fires and hold all UP

in prayer and thoughts.

Prayers going up to those suffering the heat, in and around the country and the fires out  in Colorado.

Those in Europe who are now in the floods and trying to swim, boat through their streets, we are thinking about you there. 

For those in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.
For Ali, as she mourns the death of her "POP" in SC.
 

For EE in Colorado who is having breathing difficulties out there and feeling weak today;
 we are standing with you.

For Debbie Koenig we continue to stand as your beloved son Thomas O'Brien dances on the galaxies now.

For Dianne Gray and Ken as they mourn the loss of her beloved kitty Ceylon in AZ.

For those who have asked and we are standing with you in your time of sorrow, angst, difficulties.

The fire is burning brightly,

the sage is in the air

for all who gather here

and all in the prayer bowl.

Thomas O'Brien is soaring in spirit land and sending messages to his beloved Mom all the time; Debbie Koenig, Ali Legend, and her Dad and children,  Heather Belle, Carolyn, Rog, Dusty, the 5,000 guardians now standing for a young man in transition with candles burning.

KM, Osh Kosh, Katie and Bill Majestic, Marvin, Layne, Lori, Jim, Dianne, Ken, Heidi, Julia, Rolling Thunder, Carol, The 4 leggeds,  The Schram/Korabek family, Kyle, Mark, Todd, Yvonne, Harry, Kevin, Jen, Charles,  Glenn, "the littleOne", Anne Klein, Monica Graff, Penny, Chris, Joy, Anne, Sara, Jenn, Shirley, AnneMary, Michael, Jeannie, Tink, Patti Labelle and family, The Wounded Warrior Brigade of Walter Reed,   Warren Buffet, Best of health be restored to you sir, Kyle Jones in TN; a magic maker, a musician and a good man, Miss America who took time out of her schedule to make a young man get his smile on while in the ICU, Thomas O'Brien sure did enjoy her visit, and was able to enjoy dinner out with her as well, new friendships made there indeed, Dave Glenn Alley a talented musician who is extending himself in service to others, blessings to you friend,

Seth Greenberg and family, Eileen D. and family, Steve and family, Anne, A, Sandy, "EI", Kev, Chris,

Lyle Emerson and his family in Buffalo and little Kendra 3 years old who is fighting Lymphoblastic Leukemia,

Bernice Etsitty and the life of her son, gone too soon Garrett Joe,

Duke Limongello who was murdered 9 years ago; his mom Jean Limongello,

and all the children of all colors

gone tooo soon,

and for

OUR President and his family

of our United States of America,

those who are serving our Nation and their service animals

and all who have served

and their families,

May the Creator bless you for holding us in your arms to protect our freedoms.

We will remember.

For,

Sherry Reed, Mary Grace, Shirley, DLB, Dot/COB/Mom, Angela, Kamryn Elijah, D'Vante, Linda McDonald,Joan & Olivia,

danLrene, CJ, Florence, Jenn, Bill, Denise, Ashe, Stuart Jr,  Barry Gibb, his family, Whitney, the Houston family, the family of our disco queen Donna Summer as she now joins heavens musical greats;

Dianne, Ken, Andre, Bill, Taft Abras, Mary Labyaks' family , Andrea, Patti, Jamie, Sasha, Kerri, Josh, Kar, Cash, Neil, Lori, Cindi, Tom, Shasta, Bill Simpson and Family, Jenn, Steph, Dana, Kari, Sandy, Marty, Marsha, Wanda, Ellen, Cindee, Peggy, Joyce Cruz, a CANCER survivor working at Southwest Airlines *it was an honor to meet you dear one*, Ike Davis, in New Mexico, an artisan who plays in the mud and creates beautiful tings out there, *http://www.negroartist.com/* what a joy you are to so many of SOUTHWEST, thank you for visiting with me, prayers of continued success and tobacco to your Pueblo uncle! and for Christos Fandaros, Thomas Galvin, John Knudson, Curtis, Susie Langham, Stasia and Billy Hall, Christina Chavez and Rick and Ryan, Pam Meyer, Whitney, Diane Bystista, Susan, Leann Vincent, Roxanne Duran, Carole Poppendeck, Mary Jo H-shortes, Bridget, Robert Tanner Mara Tanner, Yolanda L Acosta, Antonio F. Balderrama, Denise Flowers, Lisa Balance, Sherry Stedman, Rose, Marquette, Acosta, Ortega, The Pueblo Peoples,

All those I was honored to spend time with in

"VA, DC, MD, FL, CT, PA, Ohio, Michigan, South Dakotas, Geisinger Medical Center, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio, Solaris Hospice, Evercare, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Gesinger, Crossroads Hospice, New Hope Hospice, Comfort Keepers KS, El Paso, Santa Fe, Albuquerque"

Jeremy, Florence, Cal, Sarch, our friends of Portugal, Mike, AnnMary,Stephanie, Jimmy, Keli, Kasi, Katherine, Julie, Allan, Lynda,LeeAnn, KS Comfort Keepers, Stephen Bright, Linda and staff Melody,Brenda A and children Sarah, David Rachel; Gloria, Pete, Fred, Max, JJ, Barb and Leo Henning, Rick Fechner, Ryan Baurain, Melissa Reid, "Probation Professional pals", Jim Vander May (*who has been working in the Professional field for 45 years in Michigan*, Dale, Herschel, Bonnie, Louise, Holly, Jerry, Faith, Yvette, Happy, Audrey, and Rod Markowski and family, Lynn, Ryan, Jordon, Darryl Markowski, I thank you for your service) Brian Markowski, Shannon Becker, Nick, Reagan, Dr Iris Taylor of Detroit Medical Center,, please take best care of you) Sandy R. Carol, Stephanie, Geri, Chris, Matt, those in Oklahoma City, in Tulsa, In Ft Worth, Dallas, Ike, Isabel, Teresa, Janelle, Patricia, Susan, Karen, Laura in Yuba City CA, The Walter Reed Warrior Transition Brigade, Hope Hospice, Crossroads Hospice and those who care out there working and walking the walk, Perry, Clayton, George, Janet, and all in green! Rick, Calley, Ron, Rebekeh, Brenda, Becca, Audrey, Gabe, Dena, Beth, Lill, Jay Hanson, Jennifer, Beth Jett, Huntsville AL, Sheri, Wendy Reese and family, Sandy, Toby, Edith Vaughn and family,Susan, Greg and Kyle Korabek (Landon Korabek on the other side now), Stephen Bright and family, Walter Littlemoon, Jane, Laura, Mitch, Jenn, Chris, Mary, Taft, Martha Deaver, Morris, Dahlee, Rose Brick, The Baitinger Family, The Yaslowitz Family, The St Petersbug PD, Congresswoman Gabbie and her family, Dahlee in NJ, Judy Kelley, beloved husband and family, Jennifer, (now being watched over by her beloved husband and child), Norma, EE, Little Cub to CJ and Angel eyes Jack, Daniel, Dave, Cindy and Steve, Marty, Sweet Pea and Pie Face, Florence, Jeremy, Dennis, Darrel, Greg, Leroy, Rebekka, Carly, John, Diana, Crystal, Karen, Janet, Callie, Lorie, Laura, Larry, Clive,

2 Wolves and Jinx in SD, (http://www.2wolvescreations.com/)

Kelly and family,Judy W and her 4 sons up there in New England, Cherokee Wick, Benni, Gayle, Jonathan, Great Aunt Effie's family, Marilyn Warren, Ilene, Tweak and Chris, Jen and Brian, Ericka, Shannon, Hannah Sherabow, Pam C. and family, Susan S., Angela A., Nancy W, Sue G, Kelly and family, Susan Brouse, Cindy and Stevie, Kim, Olatz, EVB, Guin, Yiva, Mary, Sandra and family, Christina Helen, Dotti B., Susan and Greg, Amy, Becky and Barry Long, Christina, Matt and children, Aaron, Lisa and family, Freda, Linda Katie, Pat D, Tink and Mitch, LITTLE Ben, Jerry, Trish, Barb, Anastasia, Mary, Rylee, Lindsay, Ann, Sarah, Ruth, Johnny, Bobby and the Tucker Family, The Spraker Family,Kenny H, Michelle, Sandy, Addie and family in Canada, Sandy, BraveHeart, Rowena, Chris, Robyn Elizabeth, Jean, Duke,Rowena, Chris, Baby Robyn Elizabeth, Diane Smallze and family, Patti and family, The Korabek Family and friends, The Gasse Family and Friends,

Officer Crawford of St Petersburg, The Kocab Family, baby Lilly Nicole Kocab, The Curtis Family, Tarpon PD, those serving here and there in Uniform... Those now walking The Thin Blue Line, (far to many joining that line recently across our Nation),

Mylee, Mikey and family in DC, Jack M & Janis in OC, Stephen, Stuart Wittel (back from his 4th tour as a fighter pilot of the US MARINES inAfghanistan) and his parents Sandy and Stuart, Lavie Coltrane and family, Andrea Gasse and family here and in New England, Ali and family, Randy and Winnie in New Mexico, Jill Wheaton L, Dr Peter in NY, Dr Rev Bev, Irene M, Bernice, Eileen and family, Vicki, Matthew and family, Chris, Lovie, Nancy, Pedro and Our adopted family in BRAZIL, Our North American Black American Bears, The Windcross Convservacy and those beautiful Spanish Mustangs known as "pocket ponies"... the dolpins , always our most remarkable dolphins!!!

AND for:

Anne, Jim, JADE, Cynthia, Joseph, Cathy Madden, Nathan, and her family., Cindy in NC, Liz, Lee, Molly, Joanie, Jude, COFA, Judi, Ken, Matthew, Nick, Matt, Mark's family and many friends , Pat, Irene, Kevin, Dr D, Deb, Randy, Dr B, Isabelle, Kelsey, Sabrina , Charlie and family, Jean, Julie, Rhonda, Victoria, Mildred, Andi and family, Faith, Denise, Jim, Tom, Joey, Shelby friends and family, Judi, Phylis, Joyce, Gina, Tonya, Beverly and Family, Janeth, Melissa,Virginia, Stacey, Elizabeth, Nita, Gary Siegal, Adrienna, Brian Mawbey, the Boyan Family, Jean R and friend Christy Rider, Victoria and hubbie, Stephen, Gayle, Steph, Chris, Erica, Eileen, John, Mindy, Jack, Susan Werth Becken, her brother Mike and family, Craig James Lightfoot and his family, Kenny, Audrey, Ed Saner, Patty Crowley, Bennie, Gail, Jonathan, Moe, Beverly, Dennis, Peter, Trish, Cynthia, Heidi and her family, Kathy Knights family, Edith Vaughn, Candy, Cynthia, Jenn, Eve, Edith, Jason, Karen, Linda, Joyce, Belinda, Jeanette, Jennifer, Patti, Sandy S, and . ..
 

(Feel free to let me know if you would like to add your/or a friends name to our prayer bowl.

  “The opinion which other people have of you is their problem, not yours.”
  Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
 

Walk in Beauty,
DRSES
www.sherryeshowalter.com
 

In Remembrance

JAREN GASSE

07-07-07

Today marks the 5th anniversary

of one 

"gone too soon"

a child of the Universe

now dancing in the heavens

and she is loved, she is missed

and

5 years later,

it somehow is still surreal to so many.

It has taken its toll on so many lives,

so many that have worked through the pain, the heartaches, the uncertain journey of grief, with its turns and twists on paths that have never been traveled before.

A bright and beautiful young woman who left out on a sunny day after exclaiming that 07-07-07

was a remarkable day,

kissing her beloved Mom

and

bounding out to her vehicle with friends heading North to enjoy a day of water, friends and great fun.

And in a heart beat, without warning,

a car with a malfunction

overturned

and she was gone.

Just like that.

5 years of tears, of triumph with this thing called sudden and traumatic loss and its complexities, its anger, its bitterness, and fears.

5 years of choices

to dwell in the darkness or fight back to the light.

To embrace life and receive the multitude of messages that Jaren has continually sent to her Mom, her Dad and sister; family extended
 and all those who love her still.

The signs and messages are there,

but only if those left behind are willing and chose to come from the darkness into the light to receive them.

If and only when those who are left behind here, are ready to look beyond the severe pain that is like a knife in the gut that extends up and tears at the heart; are willing to remove that knife will they then know;

THERE IS NO DISTANCE.

From the other side; those we love will find their way to us; to let us know they are OK, they are with us.

They will find us, in our despair, and will want us to LIVE on as we remember them.

They will dance in the galaxies

as we find our way back to the rhythm of life here, perhaps finding the dance has changed, the music is different now, the steps are unsteady or completely off the key that others hear.

We develop our own walk, our own path, our own set of what is standard as we find ways to our own lives forever changed by tragedy and loss.

We at some point have to choose.

We will most often

always

MISS THOSE WE LOVE

yet we will live on

in ways that make the blues bluer

the skies more intense

the music more profound

and

the gifts more precious;

the memories more remarkable.

Thank you Jaren

for continuing to show yourself

to so many who love you so intensely

and showing them so often

that you are as alive in the next place

with your vibrant colors

as you were here for such a short time.

Sweet baby girl

gone too soon

precious child of the Gasse Family

gone too soon.

YOU ARE LOVED

HERE

and

in 

THE NEXT PLACE

Blessings on the wind Beautiful Jaren, I know your Grandmother grabbed you that day, so that you knew no pain, no fear from that crash that took you from this world.

I believe you are now dancing and having a joyous time with your Grandparents and those who join there, welcoming the little ones and those that make joyous noise and also have a grand time being a trickster as you ride on the backs of the thunder beings and the beauty of dolphins and butterflies.

...

WE REMEMBER YOU

and

you are LOVED

DrSherry

At the Crab Shack!

Yep, you see him

that's the Godson looking three ways to hot here in Florida!

I was just off the hook to receive a phone call saying that he and his best pal and family were going to be in St. Petersburg yesterday fishing at the pier, and would like to hook up for dinner!

Oh what a joy!

Then he said, Hunters' family want you to find a place to meet and they want seafood!

YIKES.

St Pete is not my running grounds anymore and about an hour south of here, so look I did; and threw out a few texts to pals asking where is good/great seafood with local charm for tourists!

CoCo Jenn gave me the text back,

"THE CRAB SHACK ON GANDY

for best seafood"!

okie dokie,

so I texted D'Vante who originally had told me a late Dinner since they would be busy at the pier catching the big ones!

OK, we had a plan; it would take the family and D'Vante about 15 minutes to get there; it would take me about an hour. All good.

 Guess the fish were not biting as I received the next text saying "we are on our way, are YOU?"

Oh my how plans change quickly, as I scurried through the house, spoke to that Godson on the phone and hit the roads in traffic to parts unknown,

only to soon get a text asking

"where are YOUUUU".

The Florida heat and an easy straight shot to wherever it was we were going had already gotten them to the

Crab Shack as we were still miles away!

As we finally arrived,

ole' DLB drove right by what looked like a true "shack" exclaiming

"OH NO, you did NOT tell them to go here did you?"

 We had to make a U turn and come back to what looked truly like a tiny shack; and felt as though we were lost in the 50's standing outside in the heat as we were met by the family who have taken D'Vante on this most wonderful vacation!

They had been standing outside the shack with a playing card of the 6 of hearts hoping against hope that a table would soon become available and we could get a table; as they were sweating bullets and thirsty!

Oh what have I done?

"Welcome to Florida"!

D'Vante, Hunter and Parker

boys on vacation

and oh how they love to eat,

and are having the greatest of vacations.

Parker (the little one) is 12 and he was the most adventurous of the group;

as he ordered the "swamp" platter.

He reminded me of Kamryn in his love of food and intensity of his love!

His platter had on it?

Frog legs, Gator bites and Catfish!

That kid sure did seem to enjoy it, and tear into it,

but after such a long wait, he would have probably eaten the gator whole.

 Once inside the

Crab Shack we were indeed transported back in time;

people were everywhere, the decor was quite entertaining, as we noticed the walls and ceilings covered brightly.

We all immediately noticed the great T-Shirts worn by the staff and knew the boys would look awesome in them and be the only ones having them once back in Radford VA!

It was wonderful to meet friends of D'Vante, the parents of Hunter who he hangs with, has gone to H.S. with, played football with, and now is on vacation with.

What a wonderful opportunity given to us to share this part of his life,

and that he initiated it made it more special to me.

We laughed and talked of their adventures while here in Florida

and heard of the 4th of July on Siesta Key, along with the fishing and sights they have been seeing.

Their timing could not have been more perfect as they arrived after Tropical Storm Debby had been here, the clean up complete there; and got out of their town prior to the storms that have been reeking havoc ever since their exit!

The Parents of Hunter and Parker;

laid back and enjoying 3 boys

and our Florida sunshine and adventures!

A lovely couple who seem to embrace family, sunsets, fun times with the kids while enjoying all.

It was a joy to spend time with them; get to know them and laugh over the place we gathered!

Perhaps next time we will step up to a joint that one makes reservations for 

or just find one of our restaurants that you can sit outside and enjoy the sunset.

One thing is certain,

the Crab Shack was an experience, our waitress was one who may have been there since the beginning of time; she had a hairstyle from the 50's; two ballpoint pens stuck on each side of her hair do pointing outward. It was amazing I tell you, just amazing indeed.

Look between them and you can see her serving... too bad you can't see those pens sticking out like horns coming atcha from her hair~

She asked for the order, took the order, threw the food at you, and was no small talk.

A woman doing the work, with no time to play~

We did have a grand time though, and the conversation only turned serious as DLB brought up the subject of this man in the photo.

She wondered if he was OK, or the husband of the waitress. As she and Hunter's Mom assessed him, stared at him, wondered if he had died standing up... they even tried to get young Parker to go and speak to him! We laughed and laughed about it; D'Vante just made a face at her, slapped her hand once and probably kicked her under the table.

Guess he has been there since the place opened as well!

Yep it was a place alright,

and a good time and meal was had by all.

Some times it is those spontaneous gatherings, the knowing that you are thought of from a distance; a call comes and the sound on the other end of "will you meet me", makes it all worth while.

That Godson made the call

and I am still grinning!

 

Love you to Pluto and back Buddy Pal.

...

Relationships are interesting as they evolve, shift, change, grow or end with others. We watch our children grow into individuals with their own minds, thoughts beliefs, building their houses on the foundations we have tried to form solidly for them.

We have to shift our own thinking as they grow; have to be strong as the willow, in our flexibility in bending and swaying as change and growth require it in life and in relationships while standing strong in our desire to love and yet be true to our core values and beliefs without judging others.

It is a time of leaning in, yet allowing flight and always being there and being delighted to receive that text or call knowing that you are loved, thought about.

In that moment, you know.

There were many of those moments over dinner, nudges, elbows, glances...

I know.

Love has no distance, at times no words.

 Wishing you a day

just like this!

Here's to bright skies

and clouds that make you just know

spirits are watching.

Walk in Beauty

DRSES

www.sherryeshowalter.com

OUR AMERICA, and those who speak

I've got YOU!

We could learn so much if only we took the time to watch the winged ones, the crawlers, swimmers, the 4 leggeds in nature.

We say we have evolved, grown up, become civilized and successful,

or

are still trying to figure it all out.

Yet the great wisdom keepers are not being listened to and learned from;

whether humans or animals

and we continue on

in our talking rather than listening

in our doing rather than being.

In the judgment and haste of saying we know all or know best in these times of social media, abilities to say what we think or react to what we see and hit enter

before checking ourselves and our thoughts

first.

Everyone has an opinion and somehow seem more free to share it, or to try and outspeak the other in haste, without care of or thought of its impact on the others ears, heart, soul or eyes.

Yesterday around the globe were celebrations of the 4th of July;

Red White and Blue could be seen on clothing, flags were flying, the sense of America

and all her beauty.

Many hearts were joined and families, friends gathered for good times, bbq's were lit up and burgers/fries and cherry pies evoked times gone by.

And in San Diego folks gathered and paid money to park to see a night sky lit up only to find that there was a glitch and all those fancy fireworks went at once

leaving the show over in seconds

in one big 

poof!

While the Macy's show and music was off the hook and the crowds ooohed and awwed

and the joys seen were amazing

another year of wow had in person and live on the screens around the country!

Our America

was joined together again, was celebrated across the lands.

And on the Capital Grounds folks gathered and they listened to the music, folks that knew each other, and those who had never met before got the chance.

A young man sang his heart out,

"Stand by Me" was his song, and he sung with passion, leaving the stage to shake hands with those who have served our country and were sitting in wheel chairs, missing limbs now.

He shook their hands and we could hear his words of "thank you" to each one; could hear his voice crack as his sincerity came through with each stop at each young man extended his hand.

This is OUR AMERICA

in good, bad, stress, and protest.

We could learn from the winged ones in that picture, to extend of ourselves and grab on to each other, and stand with pride for the greater good of all.

United we are much more than we are apart,

yet we do have those freedoms to stand apart as a result of those who have fought, have died to protect us from all harm.

The celebrations yesterday were a fine show of people coming together,

and they did; regardless of their beliefs, their thoughts or opinions.

And it was a beautiful thing to watch!

 The Lincoln Memorial was shoulder to shoulder with people, as my FB friend Chris posted this picture for all to see; he and his family enjoying all that was there for them to absorb, feel and witness.

I was taken on a journey of old memories of times when I was there for those fireworks and their glory, the people, the energy that could be felt for miles on end and stayed with you for days on end. Seas of flags being waved, seeing soldiers, and others who stood together as we celebrated our country and her strength.

 The night finally arriving and the brilliance of those fireworks as they light up the sky over the Washington Monument; recalling how my Uncle Doyle used to carry me on his shoulders as he ran up those steps and knew the guards by name back in the day!

Also remembering working as security for the

Names Project when the AIDS QUILT was on display and there from the capital to the monument in its entirety as it will soon be again 25 years later.

OUR AMERICA.

 Our gratitude to those who have served and are serving.

While thinking of those who do not believe there is need for it, nor has there ever been.

Those who are so wrapped up in their belief that we have no freedoms, and in their judgment of calling Marines or others in the service now that are disfigured or lives destroyed as "Poster boys" and those who are "pawns" to the a system that they do not believe in.  I can't help but wonder if they have ever sat down with a veteran and talked; perhaps a walk through Walter Reed or time at the Vietnam Wall or time with the Patriot Guard, or Rolling Thunder, for a while; they could then discuss their strong views of the many things they know so much of and dislike of our country and feelings of no freedoms and manipulations and being made a "pawn" as our soldiers are and a Marine being used as a "Poster Boy"

 like this one?

 Perhaps that would be educational to those who have served our Country, and serve to be worthy of a discussion that helps those who are so disparaging of a Veteran and his picture to also help those who are so strong in their feelings and beliefs to make decisions on which country they want to call home since they no longer like it here.

I was asked "who is he" regarding that Marine and I don't know exactly "who he is"

but he represents "ALL WHO ARE SERVING" and have served.

He is the face of a warrior,

and 

one with NO REGRETS for his sacrifices.

He is the face of so many now seen in Military hospitals around the country; though many are in gowns rather than Uniforms,

many with wounds that one cannot see,

many who want to be back "over there" for it is more comfortable than being "here" where they are having great difficulty adjusting.

When asked "who is he";

my initial reaction was to respond

"HE IS A MARINE, and who are you to ask?"

...

 In the world right now; American soldiers; men, women, service animals are out there;

they have made the choice to Stand UP

to represent the best of the best of the 

United States of America.

They are our brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, Mothers, Fathers, our children and grandchildren; our

Ancestors.

They are putting their lives in harms way each and every day.

Are you willing to do that for your family, your country?

It is much easier to sit behind the keyboard of a computer and bitch and complain while thinking you have all the answers in the comfort of your home and say you have no freedom.

Yet many will forget;

they have the freedom to say and do what they want; to step away from that keyboard and walk outside in their bikini if they like;

to go to the store and buy a bottle of whatever thrills them; to lay on beaches or travel to the country; to use manners or not,

to be respectful or not,

to crawl in their beds

or sleep on the floor,

to shower or not,

to demonstrate respect

or

NOT.

Those freedoms are not allowed everywhere;

nor are they always there without protection or without sacrifice.

Treaties broken?

You betcha, there is a long history of that.

Politics?

You betcha, that is not new.

Respect?

Where has that and caring gone.

The amazing thing about those who do not or will not demonstrate understanding as they stand for peace at all costs is that they insist on saying that they are taking the "high road", yet they violate the very principals of that in their condemnation of compassion of others.

Expressing views and opinions can be done without harshness.

Passion can be a joyful thing even if one does not agree with another.

Yet, to ridicule our Nation and those who serve

is to create harm for those who are risking their lives to protect each and every one of us!

So to those who are so very unhappy with America; as Rush is it seems;

If you don't like it,

take your all knowing cynical ass and leave our country, but

before you do, I would invite you to spend some time at a military hospital, spend some time with the fine men and women of 

ROLLING THUNDER

or

THE PATRIOT GUARD

or

THE VETS OF WWII

or

THE VETS THAT HANG OUT AT THE 

VIET NAM WALL IN D.C.

and let them hear your views. 

With that said,

that is about all to say.

Hope your 4th was spectacular,

and that when you see a Veteran

you shake their hand and say

"thank you" for STANDING.

...

Today our warrior here will bury her beloved 

"Pop" a veteran, now in God's army joined by so many he will once again be free.

Blessings Ali, and may you feel him with you always; and find the strength you need for this most difficult day.

...

Walk in Beauty,

DRSES

www.sherryeshowalter.com