Season's Greetings to Everyone!!

It's that time of year again - the time for everyone to worry about how they are going to pay their bills and afford christmas presents for everyone they know. It is the time of year when I really think about everyone..........my family, my friends, the men and women of the armed forces serving our country, the loved ones who have passed on, those more fortunate than myself and of course, with a heavy heart, those less fortunate than myself. It is at this time of year that I really think about all I have and all I have been given. It's not that I don't think about these things all year, just that at this time of year, when people are consumed with giving, it really comes to the forfront of my mind. I am reminded of everyone who has given something to me, most of which I take for granted and I don't think I am alone in this. Maybe this is the time of year that we should all reflect on ourselves, be grateful for what we have and thank those who are responsible for it.

First, let me start with my family - You are all so wonderful - thank you for always being there for me, no matter what. Without fail, you are there when I need you, be it happy times or times of sadness you are right there to lean on and show support. You all have no idea what that means to me. Because I don't say it as often as I should, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU.

Secondly, my friends - I have so many friends. I am so fortunate to have each and every one of you in my life. I love you all more than words can say.

Next, it goes without saying, I am very grateful to the men and women of our armed forces fighting for our country domestically or abroad. One soldier, who I care for in particular, is on my mind daily. Be safe out there and know that you are loved and appreciated.

I would say that for the most part in thinking of those who have passed on, I am very selfish. I want them here, with us, celebrating the holidays, family and friends. I have to believe that their beautiful souls are in a better place but my heart still holds the empty space that they once filled.

To those of you more fortunate than myself - I pray you use your wealth, power and influence in a positive manner - to further prosperity and to assist in assuring safety and security for all mankind.

Last but certainly not least, to those of you less fortunate than myself. I CARE, I am here for anyone who needs a helping hand. I pledge that if I cannot help, I will do my best to find someone who can. I spend my life dealing with people who have made less than honorable decisions in their lives and I believe that everyone can change if they have the desire. I care more than anyone knows. I pray that anyone who needs a helping hand gets it, that anyone who needs a morsel of food is fed, that anyone who needs shelter finds it and to anyone who feels that they are at the end of their rope, tie a knot and HANG ON. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes it's hard to know how long the tunnel is or how many twists and turns there will be along the way.

I will close this post by saying thank you to all of those who have stood by my side through the good, the bad and the ugly. You know who you are and I hope you know how very much I appreciate all you do for me. Take care this holiday season - Merry Christmas and may your new year be filled with all you wish for.

Dedicated to AMERICA'S HEROES

AND GONE AGAIN...

Okay - so this is just a little follow up to the previous post, but hang in there folks.....I'll have something else soon.

Travis is off to Fort Lewis Washington, at least until next August when he is supposed to be deployed to Iraq. My prayers are that he not have to go, that no else has to go and the remaining heroes all come home safe and sound real soon. I put him on the plane Tuesday morning and cried like a baby. It's quite strange really, not having given birth to this boy, but still feeling like the mom. He calls me the "A Mom". (I did confirm that is a good thing!) Anyway, he has called or sent text messages every day and seems to be getting along just fine. He did say that he was freezing parts off of his body however. We had this discussion that it would be colder there than it is here in Idaho because of the humidity, but he didn't believe me and left some of his warmer clothes here (along with his hanging clothes bag that contains his Class A uniforms - couldn't get them on the plane without paying another $75.00 - he had too many bags). I miss him being around the house and one of my dogs is completely lost without him. He was her buddy. She keeps wandering around the house looking for him and curls up with the blanket that he slept with while he was here. It was nice having him here and seeing what a "man" he has become.

I know that this war is a controversial subject and I don't even want to go there......each person is entitled to their own opinion and can scream it at the top of their lungs if they wish and whether it is pro or against the efforts - the irony is they owe that freedom to those who have served, continue to serve and will serve in the future.

My heart and soul goes out to all of those serving this country. YOU are ALL my HEROES!! Of course I pray every day for their safety and the safety of those at home waiting for them to come home. I miss my "son" - he is in my thoughts each and every day and we all look forward to his return.

Be safe out there son and know that your "family" here loves you and prays for you daily. Come home soon!!

He's finally home

Just got back yesterday from picking up my "adopted" son from the airport in Salt Lake City. He has spent the last 4 months and 10 days completing his basic training and AIT School for the UNITED STATES ARMY. I didn't think we were ever going to get him here. Literally.

What a rollercoaster ride it's been. He hasn't had the best life and wasn't given a fair hand to start out his young impressionable life. He, like many other young people, didn't have any kind of positive guidance growing up. So began the troubled years of becoming a teenager without supervision. Of course that lead to trouble and although many people tried to help along the way, it didn't seem to matter. The damage had been done. At some point though, all things come to an end.....notice I didn't say all "good" things come to an end.

This young man reached the bottom after having too good of a time, one too many times and getting caught. The judge whom I work for is a fair and compassionate judge, but he too has his limits. He placed the young man behind bars and gave him the choice to sit it out or change his life for the positive. You can imagine the decision was not an easy one for this troubled young man, but he did ultimately choose to change his life. I introduced him to a recruiter friend of mine from Pocatello. With the judge's approval, he joined the Army and was shipped out as soon as we could process the paperwork.

The day I dropped him off at the recruiter's office to leave for basic training was one of the worst days and best days of my life. I had taken this young man into my heart as one of my own. He didn't have the support system that other's have when making such a huge step and major decision in his life. I have known this young man for most of his life and know the background very well. He deserved better. I had such a feeling of uneasiness because of the continuing war in Iraq and being worried about what could happen to him, should he be sent over there. I was also very proud of him and felt like "my son" would make it NO MATTER WHAT. I don't know if he shared my optimism at the time, but he soon found out that he was more than capable of doing what was expected of him.

He was a squad leader in basic and in AIT. Yes, you heard me right, a LEADER. I wrote to him on average of once a week while he was in basic training and enjoyed getting the letters from him. I could tell he was growing up and becoming the responsible young man that I knew he was capable of. Although I thought that the first letter from him would be cussing me for encouraging him to do this, it wasn't, in fact at some point he even agreed that he made the right decision for his future. Once he reached AIT, he had access to his cell phone and we were able to talk in person more than write letters. His days of having to write a letter were over......("thank god" were the words he used!) As the time passed by and I knew it was coming closer to the day when he would be able to come home for leave, prior to reporting to his home base, I wondered if he would want to return to "home" as he always knew it or would he just go straight to his first assignment? To my delight, he chose to come HOME.

He is here for about 10 days and we are really happy to have him here. I had to beg him to wear his uniform in to my office today, but he did it for me and he looked great! There were a lot of people looking forward to seeing him. I don't look forward to saying goodbye again, but know that it has to happen. My greatest hope, wish and prayer is that it will not be the last time I see him. ("Please god, keep him safe and bless all the other troops who fight to keep us free!") God Bless Our Troops!!

And as they say........the rest is history. He's finally home!