God Bless Our Troops, Harleys, BBQs, and Apple Pie
What a wonderful way to spend a Memorial Day: Riding on a Harley, to a National Monument, and a BBQ with family. All with the complete sense of freedom and safety.
This post is on the serious side, folks, but I feel the need to describe to you what I learned. Those things above would not be possible without the selfless dedication of our American Troops. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen, the men and women serving away from their families, and all the men and women past, present and future who’ve kept and continue to keep this country free.
Thank you all for your service. And thank you to the families who endure the separation so their loved ones may serve.”
Amazing Grace by LeAnn Rimes. I don’t know who created the clip.
This is how I spent my Memorial Day: I had the privilege of riding in a Harley with a friend to Pinnacles National Monument. I got to eat an abundance of food with family. All this with a complete sense of freedom, and without threat of attack.
It took spending time in Spain for me to really grasp how truly fortunate we are to live in a country with such abundance. So many things we take for granted, such as the abundance of free paper products (napkins, toilet paper in public restrooms), clean drinking water, unbelievable wealth and comfort, and 30 kinds of cheese.
I recently heard a man tell this story: He grew up in Argentina, in a small town. There was no running water, no electricity. The toilet was a village outhouse. Their was one shower for the village as well. He said the home he grew up in was almost like a cave. And the floor was dirt.
At 23 years old he got out and moved to New York. He couldn’t believe the immense wealth: All of the cars! The buildings as tall as canyon walls! He hadn’t seen new cars, or a building over three-stories tall. He walked down the streets touching the cars, and looking up at the glass walls that made up the sides of this artificial ‘Grand Canyon’ as the wind whipped through.
This is only the beginning of his most interesting story. He should really be writing this. He became and actor and eventually moved to Los Angeles. When he got enough money, he brought his mother and sister over for a visit.
What do you think is the first thing he showed them? Disneyland? Our massive freeways? Nope. He took them to the grocery store. As he walked them through the aisles he said, ‘Look at all this cereal! Look at this – there are 30 kinds of cheese! Look at the 15 kinds of apples! Have you ever seen so many?! And look at this! PURPLE CAULIFLOWER! Who needs purple cauliflower?!’
Listening to him tell his story, seeing America through his eyes, had us all in tears. We are so fortunate to have all that we do, all of those little things we take for granted. And we have our troops to thank for our freedom and privilege.
Belize and Mexico made me remember very quickly how thankful we should all be for the abundance we have here.
Your post was touching!
.-= Wicked Shawn´s last blog ..I Accept That I Am An Average Person =-.
Thank you Julie and God bless you.
Wicked – Aww, that’s Sweetie! The few times I was in Mexico as an adult, we were always so cocooned in the tourist centers that I rarely saw anything else but the immense wealth tourism brought to that specific spot the country. But on the drive to and from the airport I got a glimpse of the poverty, which was in stark contrast to the financially-influenced tourist destinations.
Pete – You’re welcome! Love you 😉
word! i’m so thankful for all of our service men and women protecting our rights and freedoms and sacrificing their lives for people all around the world. they are strong, brave, and selfless each and every one of them.
ps: love the title of this post.
Patty – I knew I had good reason to like you! Ah, my titles don’t hold a candle to yours 😉