By the way, Zout Oxy removes 4 day old blood stains from clothing. The nurse that took care of Grace recommended it. I figured she probably knew what she was talking about. The stuff is awesome!

"Grace! Don't pick your nose while inside a moving car!" -That was the quote of the week. Sometimes, I find myself being such a mom.

We took the dogs to the kennel, packed up the car and headed down to Springfield, Mo for the holiday. We could not have asked for better weather. It was in the 70's! We came baring homemade turtle cheesecake, pecan brie, olive tapenade and smiles. It was so nice to see everyone and watch Grace run around with her cousins who are 2 and 5. She was having crazy, screaming, giggling fun, until she figured out how to open the screen door and fell right on her noggin. I heard a scream and I jumped. I was maybe 5 feet away at the time, but by the time I got to my feet, her daddy had her and blood was pouring down her face. P was on it. He stayed calm, applied pressure and got directions to the pediatric urgent care. Some more screaming, some wound cleaning, and surgical glue.. and Grace was all fixed up. One of the nurses even gave her presents. -FYI, if you ever split your head open in Springfield, you may get a piggy bank, a coloring book, stickers and crayons as a reward. ;) -In no time we were headed back to have dinner, and Grace learned to say "boo-boo".

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week! This month has flown by so fast. As I type this, I'm having an IM conversation with my husband. We're trying to figure out when he proposed to me. Neither of us can remember much else from that night, but we both vividly remember the proposal and my acceptance. I couldn't even tell you for sure how long we were engaged before we announced it. I think it was about a month.. maybe 3 weeks? What I do remember, clearly, was P telling his family last year on Thanksgiving. I had butterflies in my stomach like you wouldn't believe. But those quickly went away when P's mom grabbed me and hugged me so hard. His dad then came to me with tears in his eyes, and welcomed me to the family. He said that he could not have dreamed of a more perfect wife for his son. -I have to say, my in-laws are the best! I love them dearly and I am truly blessed to have such a supportive and loving family. Thanksgiving was already my favorite holiday, now it's even more meaningful. :)

Last night I had a dream about a friend that passed away last year. It got me thinking about how important my loved ones are to me. About how I want to remember everything I can about them. I decided I need to start writing down some of my memories of the people who shaped my life. I think I'll have to write their names down and put them in a hat to draw from at random.

Today I'm starting with my dad.

My dad was in the Vietnam war a few years before I was born. He brought back part of the war with him in the form of shrapnel in his back, next to his spine. As far as I know, it's still there. He also brought the war back home with him in other ways. To be honest, I don't know if his instincts have ever left combat mode. He did get better over the years, but when I was growing up, he seemed to frequently slip into moments of PTSD that no one, especially he, could understand or control. Those are the bad things. I like to focus on the good.

Some of my fondest memories of my dad, were his surprises. One time, he showed up at my grade school and signed me out of class, sighting a family emergency. I was called to the office, expecting the worst, thinking that maybe someone had died or our house had burned down. He and I walked to the car in silence, my heart racing. As we approached the car I looked at him curiously. He smiled and told me we were going fishing. Just me and him. Of all the company he could have requested, my father, the loner, wanted to take his youngest daughter fishing. -I love that memory.

The greatest thing about my dad, is that when he says he's going to do something, neither hell, nor high water will stop him. I grew up in an unstable household with unstable people who flaked out constantly. My dad was more reliable than an atomic clock. I've always known that no matter how much trouble I was in, now matter how bad something seemed, if I had the guts to face my father and ask for his help, he'd know what to do and he'd be brave about it. As long as my father wasn't scared, why should I be? This was especially the case when I discovered I was pregnant. Although I was happy, overjoyed even to be pregnant with Grace, I was scared shitless. My dad talked me through my pregnancy. We talked pretty much everyday. He always told me the same things. He told me that I was strong enough and smart enough to do whatever I needed to do. He told me that things would work out better than I could imagine, not because I deserved them to, nor because of God's deliverance, but rather because I had no choice. I had to make a better life for my daughter and myself. There were no other options. You see, to me, that was truly heroic. For a father to be brave enough to level with his daughter like that. I love that man.

Now let me tell you why my dad should be your hero. Like I mentioned earlier, he's a Vietnam veteran. He did not wait to be drafted. He enlisted. He took shrapnel not just once, but twice. For that they gave him two purple hearts. He also saved alot of lives. He was a field medic. For his courage in combat, he was given a bronze star with valor. I know he has other medals, but I don't remember the specifics of them. What I do know, is that he like all the other men and women that came home from the Vietnam conflict, were not treated with the respect that they deserved. I know I'm standing on a soapbox here, but seriously... we all owe a huge debt to our veterans.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. We all know someone who has fought for this country, or fought for an ideal, or maybe they fought and really didn't even know why. The point is, they had the courage. They put their lives on the line. Maybe they even saved some lives in the process. Honor them. Thank them. Respect them.

Max Ehrmann


Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.