Veteran's Day

It had been a really long day. We were up early, and it was go-go-go, as weddings usually are. It was a beautiful experience, watching the last of my sisters get married. Despite all of their weaknesses and flaws, my parents had successfully completed their "task". We were all married, connected, moving forward...

I was plumped down on the couch in the "quiet room" at the reception hall. My feet were killing me from those bridesmaid torture devices they call shoes. I heard a couple of people saying oh you've got to get over here and see this. I didn't think much of it, truthfully. There's a lot of that sort of thing going on at weddings. But, because it was my sister's wedding, after all, I got up to see.

He was dressed in his military uniform. He didn't actually want to wear it. To him, it was signing himself up for attention, something that he abhors, especially in this capacity. He doesn't do it for glory. He doesn't do it for accolades. He does it for honor, duty, faithfulness. He does it in defense of this beautiful nation. He didn't want to wear this most handsome of uniforms, but he did, because my little sister wanted him to. And as much as they've disagreed, fought, and battled each other, he loves her. And she's proud of him.

As I got up to look at what these women were talking about, I saw my husband, my soldier, surrounded by children. They were swarming him. Questioning him, barking orders. "Drop and give me twenty!" And he was faithful to the call. He dropped and pushed them out One! Two! Three...! "Now give me fifteen more!!!" He answered their questions as best as he could. "What do you do?" I'm a tanker. "Have you used a gun?" Yes. "What happens if you die?" Someone else stands up to take my place. "Yes, but what happens if you die?" Then my family feels very, very sad.

It was really beautiful to see the tiny glimpse that I saw. I didn't want to interrupt him, or throw off his moment, so I walked away. He told me later that he felt like these kids were so desperate to know, so he didn't want to let them down. He wanted to give them the best experience he could ever give, about soldiers. So he let them smoke him, hound him, boss him...

My heart swells with immense gratitude and joy because of these heroes. The real-life superstars. Thank you to all of our Veterans: the current fighters, defending our nation, and all of the ones who have gone before. I appreciate you with all that I am.