MEMORIAL DAY 2012

My name is Juju and I am a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. 

Today is a very special day because it gives me, it gives you, it gives us, a chance - as a nation, to remember our fallen heroes. Memorial Day, although a great day for family get-togethers, BBQ’s, parties, celebrations, is more than that;  it’s a day that we should include into our celebrations the remembrance of the sacrifices made for us, for you, your children for because of our fallen heroes, you are able to enjoy this day in celebration, in full freedom without fear of attack. 

As a little girl I remember walking the streets of ELA with my dad looking for his next fix. You see, my dad, my War Dad, came back from Nam addicted to heroin and while my dad didn’t die in Vietnam, he returned unable to live a normal life; he was unable to be a father to me or a working citizen. He was addicted to heroin and I witnessed his self- destruction, I witnessed a person lose his spirit and slowly die after the war; he was dead on arrival. 

The horrors of what our soldiers endure at war are unimaginable to me, the post- trauma they come home with, if they survive, can also lead to a slow death.  

So, you see, Memorial Day encompasses more than just a nice BBQ - to me - if not for the fallen who lost their lives, if not for men like my dad - the ones who came home and continued to suffer until their death,  I wouldn’t have the freedom to enjoy a church service, I wouldn’t be able to speak freely, I wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly in my bed at night and for that I ask you today, before you enjoy that BBQ, before you sit for a meal, before you lay to rest tonight, take a little time to give thanks to almighty God for your freedom, say a prayer for a fallen soldier who carried your freedom and for those whom he/she left behind. 

You see, Memorial Day is alive and running for as I stand here today, we are still losing soldiers.   Don’t let their sacrifices get lost in a meaningless day of the month - because as their bodies are returned to their families, you and I are enjoying our freedom. 

May God bless you and your families and may we always be “One Nation Under God.” Thank you.

CONTINUE ON

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.  She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.  She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discourage because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. “Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?”

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart, “You are a wife and a mother, because that is what I have called you to be.  Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice.  Most of what you give is done without any rewards. But I am your reward.  Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know.  I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.  Your children are precious to me; even more precious than they are to you.  I have entrusted them to your care; to raise for me.  What you invest in them is an offering to me.  You may never be in the public spotlight, but, your obedience shines as a bright light before me.  Continue on. Remember you are my servant. Do all to please me.”

By Roy Lessin

OUR KIDS ARE UNDER ATTACK

My goodness! January went by so fast and now I find myself well into February and just getting to my blog. Where do the days go? LOL!

February seems to be a volatile month here in the US and around the world. Lets begin with Egypt. WOW! The power of the people! My heart goes out to those mothers whose children were out there protesting and getting hurt. Seems that our children, this generation is more outspoken than my generation ever was. Brings back memories of our history books about the 60's. I wonder what's to come? As for the United States, while there is a lot going on in the political arena, I can't help but notice more-so what is happening to our people; our children.

The headlines about that homeless guy Ted Williams was intriguing huh? What an amazing streak of luck! That is, until I saw the interview with Ted and his children on Dr. Phil. His kids, his girls cried about how much they needed him as they were growing up. They needed a dad but he never showed up. Men don't realize how much a little girl needs her daddy. The dad is the male role model in that little girls life. Unfortunately (and perhaps fortunately) girls grow up to choose the same type of father they had - as a husband. It's like we are drawn to what we know. I may be wrong and I am sure you will let me know, but that is what I have witnessed in my years.  Then we have Miley and Charlie! Oy Vey! Billy Ray goes on the air yesterday and says that The Hannah Montana Show ruined his family. Um, okay, he is the dad, the leader of the home, shouldn't he have known this already? I mean, he is in the music industry. He is, after all, the iconic "Achy Breaky Heart" singer. Come on - he know what the industry has the capability of doing to children. I pray Miley will turn to what she knows to be true and that is that the Lord is always there; waiting with open arms.
Now as for Charlie, ay Dios mio! Such a handsome fella but so dang messed up in the noggin! I don't even want to waste my fingers typing about him. Lord have mercy is all I can say. But the best headline came out today on Good Morning America. The teacher who blogged about her unruly kids. Now she is on paid leave!! Here is some of the story:

FEASTERVILLE, Pa. – A high school English teacher in suburban Philadelphia who was suspended for a profanity-laced blog in which she called her young charges "disengaged, lazy whiners" is driving a debate by daring to ask: Why are today's students unmotivated — and what's wrong with calling them out? "My students are out of control," Munroe, who has taught 10th, 11th and 12th grades, wrote in one post. "They are rude, disengaged, lazy whiners. They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything, fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying."

Why is this lady getting so much heat for the speaking the truth? I am in the high schools everyday and it is true. Our kids now days are so ill-mannered. There is a lack of respect for adults and/or authority. If a teacher is blogging about it then there must be some sort of truth to what she is saying. Just check out Dr. Phil one week. He does so many shows about wayward kids.  Here is my truth. I believe that our kids are under attack. I believe that the American family is under attack. I believe that marriage is under attack. You see, if evil can destroy our marriages, our families, our homes, then evil can get access to our kids. Access to our kids = destruction of our future world, destruction of morals and standards which God has instilled for us to try to live by. When I say to you parents to "show up for your kids, " I really mean it literally. Know who their friends are, talk to them about sex and drugs, take them to volunteer in a homeless shelter or a shelter for battered women, teach them how to respect themselves and others, don't use foul language in their presence (or at all for that matter), be interested in their homework, be involved in their day, have Sunday dinners as a family at a dinner table, set the dinner table, cut the texting to a minimum and none after 8pm, make them earn the money you give them, check their grades, check their rooms and most of all, keep them in a bible teaching church that has an active youth group. Even if you don't go to church, drop them off at one (of course after you inspect it.)  Listen, we only get one shot at raising our kids. If you mess that one shot up, you will spend the rest of your life suffering the consequences of your actions. A parent is suppose to build up the child and then hand it back to itself.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

I hope you enjoyed a little of my babble. Remember, I am not a writer - I'm a blogger who is always in a hurry. Feel free to post a comment.

Have a great week!

Juju~