Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Thanks to Sgt. Lee

I didn't know Sgt. Nicky Lee, but our paths crossed on Sat. May 23, 2009. I had briefly heard on the news that a soldier from Sandusky (an area close to where I grew up), had died in combat in Afghanistan. I remember saying a quick prayer for him and his family and thinking...wow, that was close to home, but then I really didn't think about it anymore. As the Memorial holiday approached, I kept the soldiers in my daily prayers and watched a few History Channel shows on the sacrifice our men and women have made throughout history. Then saturday afternoon came and my family and I were on the way to 4pm Mass at St. Patrick's. As we approached the local funeral home, I could see a huge crowd of cars and motorcycles. Then I saw a local firetruck displaying a giant American flag. The local police were blocking Hwy. 78 (a large 4-lane Hwy.), I grumbled for a minute and said..."We're going to be late for church." My husband said that this must be a funeral for a policeman or fireman in the community, due to the large crowd, numerous motorcyles, and the firetruck salute. We quietly stopped our vehicle along with many others doing the same. In a split second, everything changed. I think my mother said..."I bet this is the soldier who died this past week." I immediately went into tears, thinking of my selfish statement. I was filled with guilt and rightly so. The rain had started to fall along with my tears. I was put in my place by Sgt. Nicky Lee, a 23 year old soldier who gave his life on foreign soil, so that my family and my children could live in peace and freedom. Memorial Day meant even more to me than ever. I didn't know this soldier, but he taught me a lesson in humility and thankfulness. I pray that his family will be comforted in the days ahead. And I hope God nevers lets me forget the lesson of Sgt. Lee. Thank you soldier for your service and welcome home.

Keep on Dancing!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I'm not going to hold back...I was disappointed

Disclaimer: If you're a big fan of our current administration in Washington, read at your own risk!

I'm not going to hold back. I'm getting old now and I'm going to speak my mind with conviction. I was totally bummed and disappointed at the large welcome that President Obama received at Notre Dame on 5-17-09. He was awarded an honorary law degree and gave the commencement address at the well known Catholic University. I decided to watch the festivities on tv and to be honest was quite impressed (don't get mad, let me finish). Let me preface this by saying...I respect the office of the Presidency and think President Obama is due all the respect that holding that office entails. And I do think that some sort of dialogue about differing issues is needed, but I think dialogue and compromise are 2 different things. President Obama is so charismatic and can deliver a message with great persuasion, but I don't think this was the venue for such dialogue. During the address, I kept thinking of the millions of lives who have been lost to legalized abortion. I thought of those children who would have been born in 1987. Who would have become doctors, lawyers, teachers, mothers, fathers. Those children who were denied the right to life, denied the right to graduate from anywhere, even the womb. We truly have a lost generation, more than have died in many of our countries wars. We say, no more to war, but we say, it's ok to kill innocent children who have no voice. As President Obama said in his speech, "our differences may be irreconcilable." He is right. While dialogue is great, compromise is not. We may never solve this issue, we may be defeated in the world's eyes, but we must keep working to save lives. The world brands us as haters, but Christians are lovers. The world doesn't understand us, because it never understood Jesus, but that's ok; our goals are not of this world. If we say we are Christians, we better be ready to uphold those beliefs, even to death. I don't feel that Notre Dame gave witness to the Christianity it proclaims. I'm ashamed and embarassed of the scandal they have put upon not just their students and alumni, but all Catholic Christians.

Keep on Dancing!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Just Getting Started

Everybody has to get started somewhere. I'm going to try and post something new each week. It will mostly be reflections and commentary, but I may try my hand at some type of devotionals too. I'll just have to see how this evolves!! I just get random thoughts in my head, sometimes they're spiritual, political, or just reflections on life in general. But you will definitely see my faith. I view the whole world through the filter of my Catholic, Christian beliefs. I try not to make any decisions in life without praying or relying on my beliefs. This doesn't mean that everything I write will be sugary-sweet. Sometimes, I'll be mad and frustrated, not neccessarily with God, but with the world. I hope you'll enjoy this blog in the future.

"Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very fine place to start."
Julie Andrews as Maria VonTrapp from the Sound of Music