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.)

Amazing Angels who accomplish many things wingtip to wingtip.

An Angel is a giver of kindness and mercy. While this might be said of all, I know the most amazing angels of all.

They are Soldiers Angels.

A group of unsung heroes from all walks of life. They have one thing in common. A wish that “May No Soldier Go Unloved.”

These angels open their hearts to help the soldiers, they ask nothing in return.

The biggest gift you can give one of these angels is a thank you. If you really want to make their day and you’re deployed “Free Mail” is a huge present.

As an Army wife I’ve chatted with lots of soldiers, the ones who have been supported by a Soldiers Angel have the most wonderful things to say. I have been amazed by the support given by the angels many times and in more than one way.

All I can say is that the world is a much better place thanks to this wonderful group.

I know of no words that can truely say that would express how I feel about this wonderful group that I am blessed to be part of.

Volunteer Luncheon

I was voluntold by several people to attend a luncheon today. With me being on crutches and using a wheel chair for bigger outings I was reluctant. I am also not a fan of praise for the volunteer things I do, I prefer to fly under the radar.

I want to share with you the lovely word my husband wrote about me and my volunteer work (He didn’t want to write the blog post so…)

My wife Ann:

Ann does more good than anyone knows.

She is always smiling, and willing to help.

She’ll get up at 3am to make coffee for the FRG, or make beds for returning soldiers. She’ll even turn the living room into a warehouse or drive cross-country to get something that’s needed.

She’ll stay up late listening to a vet friend who just needs an ear.

Then at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum she’ll watch and chat with visitors, and take a few photos.

Sometimes she surprises me. To quote her when I told her she was getting an award and the XO had been asking about her.

“The best way to see into my heart is to read my blog.”

I can’t count the times she’s told me she’s up to something with that grin, and it’s always good mischief.

She’s an angel at heart, a true Soldiers Angel. (As long as she’s had her coffee.)

This is the award I received I could not have achieved this without the help of my Soldiers Angels friends. Wingtip to wingtip we can do anything. I thank all of my angel friends and supporters.

Ouch, I’m on crutches

Okay I have to start out by saying I have a bad right ankle, I’m well aware of this.

So I went and twisted my ankle, not even badly, well not the first time. Just that little roll was enough to land me on crutches. Then my dear kitten Philip (yep my water lovin’ cat) goes and trips me on the crutches. Well can we say more damage was the result.

I went back to the doc, and well the result is I’m stuck for 3-4 weeks. Now add that to the fact I HATE crutches with a passion, and I hate not being able to do stuff and we get to the heart of the issue.

So after much angst and trying to wriggle out of this I was stuck on the sticks.

Well a few falls more and I contacted Doc again. I remembered we still have my Mom’s wheel chair. Not ideal but I can use my hands, so it’s an improvement. His response was “I don’t care what you use just stay off that thing and stop falling. If the chair helps you by all means USE it.”

Yep the even go for rides.

Well it seems I am not the only one who likes my chair.

Yes they still get in the way, but I can do things, at least some things for myself again. The chair has taught them it’s better to be on my lap or up high than on the ground, when I am rollin’ around.

Oh and to top everything off I have two Army Wife functions to attend this week. Can you say I’ll be on a roll. (yes bad pun intended)

On the bright side, I may just may find more time to pound keys.