Flash Fiction… The Struggle

Her struggle was not evident to the outside. Her pain internal. The fight she fought on a daily basis, to stay in control. No one knew the fight within her soul. No one knew her struggle for control. Her struggle was with her own demons, they haunted her in the dark. Nights were the worse. Some days the beast would win, other times she won the fight. Her love for others helped keep the demons at bay. Could she help enough to slay the beast?

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My thoughts on Independence Day (not the movie)

As an army wife this day brings many emotions to the forefront. Note all of these thoughts are ramblings are mine and mine alone. I don’t take an opinion poll before I write, I just write.

Fireworks, they weren’t the first explosives over our flag.

Independence is freedom. Freedom is never free, as we can lose it before the reality sinks in.

The meaning of the day is somewhat lost in the sales and cookouts. This day is supposed to remind us of why we can speak our mind. No don’t cancel the cookout, just add some history to it. Grab a smart phone and read some history about the day before the burgers are served. Have the kids draw pictures of flags from our past. All I am saying dont forget why you have this day off.

Now what this day means to me. It’s bitter sweet, as I think of the freedom I have which brings to mind those who had the courage to swim against the tide to give me my freedom. Our founding fathers broke with Great Britain at great personal risk, they gathered to change this land forever. They swore allegiance by promising their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.

This was a time when a persons word was their bond, and their reputation depended on them keeping their word. So go ahead and cookout, just do something to make others aware of why this day is much more than cookouts and fireworks.

The Declaration of Independence is an amazing document, take a moment to read it. Ponder this piece of our great history.

I will raise a glass to our founding fathers on this day as I do every year.

God made a military spouse…

God looked down at the military and said “They should not be alone. I need someone who can change plans on a moments notice, and smile the whole time.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who can handle their loved one leaving at the ringing of a phone, with little notice, not knowing when they’ll return.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone strong enough to act as Mom and Dad to the little ones for a year or more at a time.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who can deal with the challenge of moving every few years.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who is faithful and can handle a long wait to hear from their loved one.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who can feed five extra people for dinner with no more than a few moments notice.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who can band together with other spouses they’ve never met, to get the task done.” So God made the military spouse.

“I need someone who can pack an entire family up and move them anywhere on ten days notice, without breaking the china.” So God created the military spouse.

“I need someone who will teach their children to respect the military, welcome the service member with open arms, and do it all on a few hours sleep.” So God created the military spouse.

“I need someone who will beam with pride when their child looks up and says ‘I want to join the military’ and encourage them despite the hardship of the path ahead.” So God created the military spouse.

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)