Counting the blessings, Part 1
In 2 invigorating conversations today I was reminded of how many blessings I have that I continually take for granted. The first was early this morning when my mother and I were discussing my sister's time in the military and what a sacrifice/investment it was for her. My father was in the Air Force Academy for a while, and both grandfathers saw action in WWII, and at least 1 great-grandfather that I know of spent time in WWI. My step-father also spent time in the Navy, and my step-father-in-law (is that even a word?) was/is a Marine who saw perhaps too much action in Vietnam.
So I seem to be the slacker of the family who never did his time in the military. My sister proudly represented our generation (and served quite well might I add), but I am now sitting in the lap of luxury at 31 years old without spending time in the service. Why is that?
I don't like being told what to do. This is not to say I can't function in a military environment, but I have problems with authority figures that I don't fully understand. So I suspect that the military life would not sit well with me (not to mention early mornings). Ironically, it was a very near thing for me. I have seriously considered joining the Air Force at 3 points in my life, mostly because of my love for flying, and that would have been my best/last chance to learn. But thinking through the inevitable boot camp and training, I decided that unless something catastrophic happened and my country seriously needed me, I will enjoy the civilian lifestyle that so many of my ancestors and untold numbers of others have fought for me to enjoy.
My eternal thanks to them, and I hope my life path is not a disappointment to them. I THINK my actions in other areas of life have and will make them equally proud. I think of them often. An OLD African proverb (that was illustrated recently quite well in Xena of all places) states, "When you think of those who have ascended before you, they hear you." I believe that, so I keep them often in my thoughts. My memories of them and their stories are also a blessing for which I am grateful. I hope I am able to pass these on to our sons.
-H-
So I seem to be the slacker of the family who never did his time in the military. My sister proudly represented our generation (and served quite well might I add), but I am now sitting in the lap of luxury at 31 years old without spending time in the service. Why is that?
I don't like being told what to do. This is not to say I can't function in a military environment, but I have problems with authority figures that I don't fully understand. So I suspect that the military life would not sit well with me (not to mention early mornings). Ironically, it was a very near thing for me. I have seriously considered joining the Air Force at 3 points in my life, mostly because of my love for flying, and that would have been my best/last chance to learn. But thinking through the inevitable boot camp and training, I decided that unless something catastrophic happened and my country seriously needed me, I will enjoy the civilian lifestyle that so many of my ancestors and untold numbers of others have fought for me to enjoy.
My eternal thanks to them, and I hope my life path is not a disappointment to them. I THINK my actions in other areas of life have and will make them equally proud. I think of them often. An OLD African proverb (that was illustrated recently quite well in Xena of all places) states, "When you think of those who have ascended before you, they hear you." I believe that, so I keep them often in my thoughts. My memories of them and their stories are also a blessing for which I am grateful. I hope I am able to pass these on to our sons.
-H-
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