Veteran's Day 11/11/11 my thoughts...

Today is 11/11/11 and Veteran's Day & Remembrance Day. I am re-posting what I wrote on 2010 Veteran’s Day because not much has changed...
I have come to the conclusion that every day should be Veteran’s Day. Why you ask?  Well, every morning I wake up in a nice warm, safe bed in a safe home with the freedom to do just that. They are our heroes.

Pray for the children of those who are deployed, pray that their parent comes home to them.  These women and men are fighting for the privileges we enjoy. Some military personnel come home to fight more battles for their marriage, child custody, a place to live, and a job. All veterans struggle with issues that are beyond what I can even imagine. Think of the veterans who wake up without a warm safe bed or a roof over their head here at home.  Pray for the vet who struggles with just the images that they bring home that only they can see.  Currently, there are military personnel fighting in faraway lands with family members at home just keeping on keeping on.

My Dad and his jeep on the Brittany coast.

Every family history has some military service. Mine spans three generations. At the age of 19 my father  fought under General Patton in WWII. My father-in-law was part of the Liberators in WWII. My Eldest brother is a Marine and was in Vietnam. He remained in active service for 20 plus years. My next eldest brother was in the Navy on the USS Oriskany an aircraft carrier off the shores of Vietnam. My younger sister was in the Air Force in the late 70’s as a communications and electronics tech. In that time and place for a woman it was rare to have that skill, which put her on the fight line servicing B-52s. She also was part of the teams testing the stealth fighters.  My nephew is a Marine like his father. 
 I am thankful that my family came home safe, but not every family is that fortunate. 

Every veteran has stories they will share if we just listen.

To all military personnel past & present God bless & 
thank you for your service. 

Friday's project....7000 Bracelets of Hope

Thought I would re post this. Turns out I have my Fridays back....so I thought I would make some more bracelets. 
On Feb. 28, 2011 my outlook on my life was altered dramatically. I received a post on that day about it being World Rare Disease Day which linked me to the Global Gene Project and the 7000 Bracelets of Hope page. I thought wow…a chance to do something for the children who suffer and their families.  I have Polymyositis which I believe is under the rare category since it effects only1in 100,000 people. As an adult this has been a struggle for my family and I, since no one really understood the future challenges that we were to face. I cannot even imagine what it is like for a child or especially a parent to deal with diagnosis that very few people understand.

 

What caught my attention was the bracelet campaign. I thought here is something to pass on a bit of hope and support every day. I started making jewelry when a fall left me in a wheelchair and I had to give up my job. So I was all in with the bracelet project. These two blog really made up my mind to create some. A blog post from a parent …world rare disease-day-2011 and a blog from an artist The Rest of the Story left me certain I would be helping out.

 Sometimes it is the little things that can make a huge difference.  I had recently offered to make a necklace for a friend. I just really wanted to make her something easy to wear and would make her feel pretty when going to her Doctors appointments.  Her reply touched my heart in many ways… “That is the most kind offer! In fact  call me an emo, but tearing up right now!! I love everything...pearls, natural stone. but you surprise me! Anything you make is beautiful and I will like and treasure forever! It would be awesome to wear something to the doctors that you made so that I feel like I have piece of all my myositis friends with me, along with their strength.”  The fact that someone else thinks of me as strong…makes me feel strong in a way.

So I hope that the bracelets pass along a bit of hope, strength and good karma to all those who receive them. And they know that there are people who understand. And you to can send hope to a child.

Summer Phone Call

Come with me... And you'll be...In a world of...Pure imagination, Take a look..And you'll see...Into your imagination...**ring, ring** (someone answer the phone)**ring** "hello...anybody home? Hi (your name here) its Regina calling...how are you doing today? Staying cool I hope. It is hot here in Cincinnati...You are feeling OK today you say, that is good.... Um I was wondering if you could come out & play? (remember your eyes are closed therefore *imagination in use*) Figure maybe we could sit by the pool under the trees and sip cool drinks. Or sit in on my porch and watch the world go by. Do some handmade craft? Maybe a game of gin rummy or canasta? We are in the lazy, hazy days of summer you know **possible replies** well here is where you fill in the blanks,,, that is for your end of this conversation...**my response** "that's great looking forward to seeing you..you have a good porch for porch sitting you say some iced cool drinks on all ready and cookies fresh from the oven *really the store* .....Well great I will be right over. It will be good times" **phone disconnects** *BIG SMILE* someone can come out & play....

My Birthday Wish

A birthday wish.....

A dream is a wish your heart makes,
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true 
from Disney's Cinderella 

When we think of birthdays…. we think presents, cake, candles and wishes. We ‘wish each other happy birthday all the time. I have blown out many candles in my lifetime and made many wishes over the years but this year I think the wishes will be different. So today as I blow out the candles on my cakes my wish is…for my family and friends

For all my FB “friends in the box” may you have a year or more ‘better’ days than not so good days. A good laugh at least once a day and more smiles than frowns. May all my spoonie friends find an extra spoon every now & again. May you find the courage to sing a happy song as if no one is listening. May you have the energy to do the ’happy dance’ as if no one is watching. And may you no longer feel invisible.

For all my family and friend I wish for you to have more good than bad days and more happy than sad days. May you truly understand what it means to be a ‘spoonie’. May you come to learn the 3E Love heart ….Embrace diversity. Educate your community. Empower each other. Love life.  May you accept the skin your in…..

A happy Birthday to me and a very merry unbirthday to you!

regina