Lists with Friends: Week 20

Happy Memorial Day friends!

I thought for today’s list I would list some things that being in a military family has taught me:

• Home is where your family is. It doesn’t matter what state you live in or how many states you live in – as long as you are with the ones you love, that is home.
• Packing is NOT fun, but unpacking is! I would always love it when I unpacked boxes of my toys. It was like they were brand new again.
• The military are a strong-knit community. They love on one another, support one another and are proud of one another. Happy to always be a part of that community.
• Military families make BIG sacrifices, too. I can remember when my Dad would have to go on TDY and I would be so sad. I was little and didn’t want him to leave. I remember him reading me a book one night before he left the knowing that in the morning he would be good for a good while. My Mom and older sister did a lot when he was away. Military families make BIG sacrifices, too.
• Change is good. It mixes things up. He allows you to experience new things that you might not before. Change is good.
• Good-byes are part of life. Having had to move around quite a bit, it was nothing new when we had to say good-byes to friends we had made, places we loved, etc. Good-byes are hard, but they are part of life.
• To be proud of my country. I love my country so much. I believe that it’s not as strong as it used to be, but I’m proud of our flag and loved it when I’d go to the movie theater on base and before every movie they’d play the National Anthem and everyone would stand up, put their right hand over their heart. I think our country needs more of that even though they are moving toward less of that. Heart-breaking to me.
• It’s cool to have been born in Germany. :)
• Thankfully I have been able to experience different cultures. Pretty neat.
• Being a military kid taught me to be more independent.
• Being from a military family is something to be proud of. If you are from one, then you know how difficult it can be from time to time, but how important of a job it is. I am so thankful that my Dad was in the Army for over 30 years. That my husband was in the Army and even my brother-in-law was in the military. I think it is something to be proud of. I know it’s not something everyone can do or wants to do, but I am thankful for the men in my life who were in the military and were defending our freedoms and keeping us safe.

So today I am remembering the men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom and for our country. I am also remembering the retired military and the current service men and women who are working hard to keep us safe. Lastly, I am remembering the families of those service men and women. They too pay a price. I am so grateful for you ALL. You are the epitome of what being an American is all about. I am thankful for you and so very proud of you.

THANK YOU. ♥

Special love and thanks go out to my Dad, my husband and my brother-in-law. :)