God Bless the USA

"The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave."

Memorial Day Weekend - what does it mean to you?  Official start of summer; BBQs; get-togethers; parties; concerts.  Three day weekend?  HOT weather?  Boating?

It's a great weekend to spend with family and friends… grilling burgers and enjoying time together.  But I hope you took a moment to remember those who cannot do the things  you did this weekend.  Those who lost their lives, those who are deployed, those who are missing someone today.  Those who have an empty seat at their table.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who serve and have served our great nation, and those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom.

I spent the day in the airport today and during my layover, I people watched.  Along with noticing people in uniform, I also saw an older gentleman at my gate who was wearing a WWII veteran hat.  Many people went up to him and thanked him for his service.  He replied to every person, "It is much appreciated."  He was a genuine, kind man - and really seemed grateful to every person who took time to say 'thank you.'  Luckily, he was in my boarding section and stood right next to me in line.  He couldn't hear what the PA system was saying, so he asked me to take care of him. While waiting in line, we chatted.  Turns out, he was heading to be a pall bearer at a funeral for a dear friend of his who also served. I helped him get boarded and make it to his seat.  Small gestures make a big difference :)

Today's Starfish

Devon and I know many people who serve our nation, served in the past, and were missing someone at their table today.  Our friend Gina was especially missing someone.  Her husband is stationed in Qatar and today was also his birthday.  Gina and her family had a birthday party for Robert even though he couldn't be there.  They even had a cake and sang happy birthday to him, and it was all caught on video!  I saw the video on Facebook, and I couldn't help but get chills.  How awesome!  

Servicemen and women not only risk their lives, but they also sacrifice time with their families.  A lot of times, we forget about those families - they sacrifice too!  Next time you see someone who is missing a loved one, thank them.


Devon and I wrote thank you cards to people we know who take on this important task.  We hope this small gesture will make a big difference in these people's lives and that they know how grateful we are for them!


Gina and Robert

A Cup of Joy

The sweet aroma overwhelms my senses as I mosey into my favorite coffee shop.  It's a chilly morning; water drips from the dark sky like a leaky faucet.  Warmth fills the air as the heavy door floats closed behind me.  The bitter, yet inviting, smell fills the atmosphere, and slowly, my senses begin perking up from their Monday morning slumber.

 

My eyes adjust to the dim light as I step into the line of the like-minded.  I glance around.  A man in a well-tailored suit glances over the business section, his steaming mug perched on a nearby table; a thoughtful woman pours over a large textbook with a perplexed look cast over her face, her Tazo tea bag soaking in hot water.  A trio of chattering young women in yoga pants and Nikes stand before me, plotting their next route after their break.

The baristas are busily fulfilling every request - pouring, adding, stirring and shaking to perfection.  The espresso machine that feeds my addiction hisses and steams, ready to take on the challenge that is the next cup.

As I make my way to the front of the line, my taste buds yearn for the creamy, distinctive, 180 degree lava that will undeniably make my morning worth it.  My order rolls off my tongue, naturally, as it has done so many times before.

My name is called and finally - FINALLY - I bring the steaming cardboard cup to my lips, anticipating that first, impeccable sip.  The smooth espresso blended with a perfect combination of milk and vanilla lingers on my lips as I head out to face the day.

 

 

 

 

Today's Starfish

A cup of Joe, fuel, coffee.  It means many things to different people.  Its the gasoline that starts the engine; its the feeling that starts the day.  Its the peace and the warmth and the taste.  Coffee can change our mood and energy level, but kindness and encouragement along the way creates the will and energy to make a difference.

Devon and I are both coffee lovers - in fact, I am almost certain my addiction began when I was living in Colorado with her and her family... and a Starbucks was within walking distance to their home.

We both went to Starbucks this morning before work ,and not only ordered ourselves a coffee, but ordered an extra one to take to work and surprise an unknowing co-worker.  There is nothing like starting a Monday morning with a nice cup of surprise java! 

 

 

 

Starfish Mondays have RETURNED!

The Starfish Story

A man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.  He asked, "What are you doing?"  The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.  The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son," the man said. "Don't you realize there are miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?  You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."

Starfish Mondays are BACK.  This time around, my very good friend Devon and I will be working together on this blog.  She lives in New Mexico and I live in Iowa - we will be completing the same act of kindness, but from two different cities.  Our hope is to reach others in a very positive way by acts of kindness and generosity, and to encourage our readers to make a difference as well.

A little backstory from Devon and me-

Devon was a regular reader of Starfish Mondays, and when I stopped writing, every now and then she would make a comment to me like, "Teri, why don't you bring the Starfish back?"  Or, "I miss reading your blog!"  One night we were having a very insightful conversation about how we live in a world where instant gratification seems to be the norm.  Everything is immediate.  We were even talking about how we would get upset over the smallest things that didn't happen in the amount of time we would have liked.  We knew this wasn't the attitude to have, but we had grown accustomed to instantaneous results.  Our conversation stuck in my head for a long time after that phone call and I had an "Aha!" moment.  It was time to bring back Starfish Mondays - only this time, it would be done as a duo.


"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my other would say to me, 'Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.'"
~Mr. Rogers

My hometown was hit with an EF-2 tornado last night.  The tornado was very close to my mom and dad's home/farm, but luckily it missed them.  Other people over by the lake were not so lucky.  One of my family's close friends lost his condo.  Fortunately, no injuries were reported.  Things can be replaced, but people CANNOT!







As I was chatting with Devon this evening and telling her about this devastation that hit so close to home, her immediate reaction was "What can we do for these people?"  You see, her family lost their treasured home in Colorado in a wild fire almost two years ago.  So, we decided that we would do what we could to help out.  We will be sending my family's friend a Target gift card.  It may not be much in the scheme of things, but every little bit counts.  And I know for a fact that my community will rally around the victims of this natural disaster.  Because that is what small Iowa towns do.