Happy Memorial Day!!

I have another post coming today...most likely. I've got quite the chore list to do today before Dan gets home from work.

I just wanted to take a minute and express my gratitude for this great land we live in and for the many great and honorable service men and women who have sacrificed their time and even their very lives to protect this beautiful land I call home. Memorial day has always been important to me, but it's also been the day that we were doing yard work and then swimming and BBQ-ing later in the day. My dad always put the flag up outside our home.

In recent years, (geez that makes me sound old!) it has come to mean so much more to me. Rewind a few months ago to April 1st. College of Nursing Professionalism Conference at BYU. We said the Pledge of Allegiance. I could never begin to count how many times I've said the Pledge of Allegiance in my life, but it's a lot. This particular day, the words really struck me, and I remember feeling so much pride and joy and feeling a little bit more of what the cost of freedom really is and how much freedom and living in these great United States of America has so richly blessed my life.

My grandpa served in WWII and was a POW after his plane was shot down (I want to say over Germany, but I may be wrong). I have few regrets in life, but one was not ever taking the time to sit down and talk to him about his experiences in the military. Granted I was only 12 or 13 at the time before his Alzheimer's disease had set in, but still.

I also have a brother in law serving in the military. I've been thinking about their little family more and more, and I'm sure I will in the coming weeks. I'm so so grateful for all 3 of them, but especially Brad, for making the sacrifices each and every day so that I can sleep safely and in peace. I'm so grateful for my sister in law and the huge strength and role model that she is in my life. I've never met a stronger woman and I'm so grateful she is my sister.

It's my hope that today, especially, we remember to take a moment and give thanks for the many people who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom and all those who have served our country so diligently past, present, and future.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.

Happy Memorial Day! and may God continue to bless America!!