Monthly Archives: June 2013

Flying with the angels, while keeping my foot up

I’ve been very busy, between nursing my bad ankle and doing a ton of volunteer work I have not had a whole lot of time to post. What kind of volunteer work can I do with my leg up? Soldiers Angels, it’s been a time of letter writing. Then I was contacted by a friend who happens to be an Army chaplain. He relayed a very tragic story.

I just find out about a Soldier’s wife who is in need of prayer. I cannot disclose his identity nor his wife’s. But please open your heart and beg the Almighty to show compassion upon this Family. 
They were just a bit more than a year ago. He deployed shortly thereafter and while saddened having to leave his beloved, he was elated to be married to her. 
Unfortunately, he was met with some troubling news: His bride, the mother to-be of his son, was diagnosed with cancer after the OB/GYN discovered a growth during a routine ultrasound. Yet, they remained hopeful that she would beat it and deliver a healthy child. 
Several weeks later, he received wonderful news that he was going to become a father. 
He spent his time downrange excitedly anticipating his return home.

Last week, this brave woman delivered her premature daughter via Cesarian section. It was then that she and her husband were given the crushing blow: The cancer had metastasized and invaded every major organ in her body. She has already been placed in hospice care. We are doing what we can to provide and care for them.

So I’ve been organizing cards and letters from Soldiers Angels for this family. Then one angel had a wonderful idea of celebrating all of the major holidays in six weeks by mailing the family theme boxes for each of the holidays. I know I have mentioned this incredible bunch of unsung heroes before, but this time I think they are truly going above and beyond the call. Most of what I have been doing is communicating with the chaplain, and passing information back to the angels. Yep, typing, nothing I can’t do without my foot up.

I wonder if I would have had the time to do this if my ankle had not been injured. They say everything happens for a reason, maybe this is why I injured my ankle. So I’d slow down and help this wonderful family facing this terrible tragedy.

Well now back to work on the novel I’m sure there are Many Blessings to come… (hint)

The sounds of Freedom

Tonight I sat with my injured right leg up as my husband David, watched his alma mater play in the college world series. Yep, he had a beer in hand. The game was momentarily drowned out by the sounds of helicopters flying overhead. This was preceded by artillery training.

I have heard that some people living on base complain about the sounds caused by night time training exercises, I never have. To me just like the sounds of baseball coming from the TV they are the sounds of freedom. David made the choice to join the Army, I made the choice to marry him. We then chose to live on base, so I see no reason to complain about the sounds of freedom.

I for one smile when I hear a drone overheard, or helicopters roaring about. Even our cats have adjusted, they have both grown up hearing artillery fire from training, and helicopters. I call them army cats. I completely understand that the military, especially here at Fort Bragg, needs to be ready to operate in any and all conditions, not just daylight.

So let my windows rattle, and try to drown out my tv shows.  I will still smile about being part of the Army Family.

Yes I still write when the artillery booms in the distance, and think about my plot as the helicopters thunder overhead. Sometimes the noises break loose plot bunnies and cause them to hop about giving me plenty of ideas. Now if I could just keep those army cats of mine off the keyboard I might get more writing done.

(Please note plot bunnies are what I call ideas, we don’t own, nor do we want any real bunnies.)

Update on my novel & thoughts on Vince Flynn’s passing

Well I am almost done my 3rd rewrite. I’m waiting for Dad to get home from a trip to edit it. Then we shall see. I am excited about the next step in the process. 

I am bombarding my dear Dad with over 100 pages upon his return. Yep I love him dearly. I thank all of you for supporting me in my efforts to finish this. I’m sure there will still be work to be done, however there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t think it’s a train.

I was saddened today by the lose of one of the great thriller writers that inspired me to undertake this project. Vince Flynn you and Mitch Rapp will be sorely missed. Cancer did what no bullet or terrorist was capable of it ended the life of Mitch Rapp, or more accurately his creator. 

I find the timing a bit ironic, I just finished re reading Term Limits in the wee hours of the morning. I was reading his first book on the very day he passed away. RIP Vince Flynn you will live on through your writing. 

What my “Dad” means to me…

I must start off by saying I don’t know my biological father, my parents divorced at an early age. I did attempt to establish a relationship with him when I was in my 20’s, he wasn’t interested. The man I refer to as “Dad” in my blogs is really a great friend, who has been there for me for several years.

This wonderful man is part of what i call my chosen family. I never had a sister yet I found two women who fill that role in my life. As far as brothers go, I’ve got plenty I’m an Army wife, my husbands buddies tend to fill that role. I’ve never had a Dad in my life, and then I met Perry. Perry is the person referred to in this blog as Dad.

My Dad has been there for all of the important things in my life.

He’s a great listener.

He gives sage advice.

He’s a man I’m proud to know, in fact I wish I’d gotten to know him sooner.

He walked me down the aisle in front of my friends and other members of my chosen family.

He’s supportive of my projects, and always willing to take some time to help me out.

All I can say is Thank you Dad for all you do. I wish I’d known you all my life.

With your help I know my manuscript will turn into a well polished novel.

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