Keeping up with Us

I know, the new year is still several months away, but for me personally, another year is coming to an end. My 26th year. I'll turn 27 on the 9th and, as I seem to do in recent years I've found myself pondering many things as my next year in life begins. It amazes me how much changes in a year. In years past, I thought it was because I was still 'growing up'. Now that I'm 'grown up' there seem to be more changes in a year's time now than before! So when did I grow up? When did I go from loosing my first tooth, to starting high school, to moving out, to getting married and having a family? What makes you grown up? To a five year old, loosing your first tooth means you're growing up and to a teenager the start of high school marks the four year countdown to moving out! But then what? Once you move out do you instantly become grown up? Once you get married and have a family, do you automatically pack up your Friday night movies and turn on the news? Because you're grown up now, you know...responsibilities replace the carefree life you once knew. But are you really grown up then? Or do you finally grow up when a dear friend loses their life so unexpectedly that you barely have time to digest what's happened? Or is it having a grandparent think you are your mother and not remember that you're married now with a child of your own? Or, are you finally grown up when you rush your child to the ER after a terrifying fall? Or perhaps it's when you realize that having extra money in the bank is not nearly as important as helping a friend keep from losing their house. Or maybe you're grown up when you spend more time with your spouse in waiting rooms at the VA hospital trying to find answers and figure out treatment options so he'll be able to lift his son again. Or do you finally become grown up when you take a huge leap of faith and open your long awaited business? Do these things really make us 'grown up'? There is no age...no magic number that determines when we're grown up! Each of us go through things, many different things throughout out lives and at several milestone spots we think we're grown up. But in reality we're just growing a little more each time towards finally being grown up. I don't think I'm grown up yet. I still have lots of growing to do, and these last several years have taught me a lot about growing. I grow a little more each day... a little more in love with Keith...a little more proud of my son...a little more thankful for my parents...a little more fond of my friends...a little more hopeful for the future...and a little more grown up.

We're trying to help our Eastern Star Chapter raise money for one of their state-wide charities. They are selling little lollipop lapel pins for $4. (They're really cute...about 1 1/2 inches!) The moneys goes to 'Help lick cancer!' If you're interested in getting one (or more than one) please let me know!

Thanks for your help!

Happy 4th of July! I hope that this weekend is safe and exciting for everyone! This is a wonderful time of year, for most...but for us, it means lots of sleepless nights. Everyone has been setting off fireworks in the evenings for the past several nights. To most they're beautiful to see, but the memories their noises bring back for Keith is far from beautiful. The scream of bottle rockets, followed by the boom as they burst, sounds all too similar to the RPGs and roadside bombs in Iraq. It's a difficult time of year for him.

So, be safe this weekend, yes, but please also take a few minutes to remember that freedom is far from free. It comes with pain, both physical and emotional, and it's filled with memories and sleepless nights.