HBO’s Last Letters Home

 

Voices of American Troops from the Battlefields of Iraq

I’ll be Home for Christmas
Heroic (Angelic) Soldiers of war. who have come to fight the wars for us. 

You can plan on me.
I’m watching a docudrama on HBO right now called “Letters from Home”. “Letters from Home” about the last letter a soldier send his family; often after his or her death.  It is a heart-felt docudrama, where letters are shared by the family of the soldier who service in Iraq came to an abupt end.  The letters also  appeared in the New York Times and can be found at the URL http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/11/opinion/11INTRO.html?ex=1227416400&en=5d3e426af85f536d&ei=5070

Please have snow and mistletoe
The story is very telling and hard to hear as you feel the strong emotions of the family. The letters tell stories of brave soldiers cradled in the love of their family until they sign-up and are sent off to war. The letters tell a story of pure love and goodness. The letters are filled with faith and hope of a return to their families and homes. The families reading the letters tell stories of caring children who went to war bravely and without regret. The soldiers knew their call and answered accordingly. How could we not respond with our greatest prayers of Gratitude and Love for their families who so willingly raised them with good values and sent them off to war to fight for their country.

And presents on the tree.
Excerpt of a letter from Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo. Private Givens was killed May 1 when his tank fell into the Euphrates River after the bank on which he was parked gave way. This letter was written to be delivered to his family if he died. Melissa is his wife, Dakota his 6-year-old stepson and Bean the name he used for his son, Carson, who was born May 29. “

I never thought that I would be writing a letter like this. I really don’t know where to start. I’ve been getting bad feelings, though and, well, if you are reading this….”

“The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so serious and smiled. The sounds of a beautiful boy’s laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn. You will never know how complete you have made me. You saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think beyond myself. You taught me how to live and to love. You opened my eyes to a world I never dreamed existed.“

Christmas Eve will find me
What do we do with our grief knowing the tremendous loss of these heroic families who suffer missing their loved ones during the Holidays?   We can pray, pray with Gratitude for their Love, their steadfastness, and their courage.  Something, that is difficult to find in today’s world. Pray with Gratitude to God for sending these brave souls in our midst to fight these battles for us and pray too that God may bless these families and our country during the war.

Where the love light gleams.
Dedicated to the American Soldiers in Iraq.

I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams…

Many Thanks to Diana Krall for the use of her lyrics. Thanks to the New York Times for the Excerpt of a letter from Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, and to his family who suffered the loss of such a good and brave soldier. Thanks also to CBS for the use of their picture of the Iraqi boy and the American Soldier. Most Importantly, many thanks to HBO for telling a story that we all needed to hear “Last Letters Home” …I am in your debt.

  To find more letters from home and to see what American families are doing to reach out to their love ones over in Iraq, please see: http://www.soldierlife.com

The Science of Happiness { ~ :

Well we can’t all be happy all the time.  Why not?  I dunno, it just seems to push the law of averages beyond reason. 

Why be happy?
This is just about a no-brainer.  Happy people are healthy people.  Your body functions better when you’re happy.  You sleep better when you are happy.    You’d be hard pressed to find a good reason not to be happy. 

Empower Yourself
We can choose to be happy.  This is how it works.  Make a commitment to ourselves, choose to be happy.  Commit yourself, to being happy… when choices present themselves along the way, when we choose happiness, the choice is simpler. 

Someone cuts you off in traffic.  Do you have a tantrum?  Do you swear and give the finger?  No, you chose to be happy.  You don’t have time for this negative stuff.  You move on and continue humming that lovely tune with which you started off the day.  You might even want to send that car that cut you off a little blessing – so their day might turn around… you know… if they choose to be happy. 

It’s all about choice. 
Another way to easily improve your level of happiness is to Volunteer.  It just feels so good to give back.  The world needs volunteers – And being a volunteer has sooo many advantages.  Being a volunteer is very unstressful.  When you see the good your volunteerism has done, you feel good about yourself.  Sometimes, being a volunteer even offers perks.  I can’t think of a one, but I know they are out there. 

In my opinion, a really great way to give back it to be a big sister or big brother.  In a world of working Moms and absent Dads, Children need the extra attention a positive Adult role model can offer. 

Disclaimer
Note to the single Moms of the world:  You don’t have time to Volunteer.  Your kids need you.  I used to feel so guilty about not volunteering more when I was a single Mom.  That’s why I have to add this note.  I don’t want any single Moms out there feeling guilty.  Basically this rule can be applied to any parent.

Why write a blog about our Family?

Well, like every family, there are concerns about me exposing all the skeletons in the closet.  Another part of my belief system that conflicts with my families ideology.  I believe every thing stuck in the dark should be dragged out and left in the full sun, so it can be healed.    And lets just begin by saying that in my family EVERY ONE is very sensitive.  And I’m the one in the family who is the clodhopper who unmeaningly stomps on everyone’s feelings.  Open Mouth, Insert Foot.  So if you’re a family member who feels stomped on, please accept my sincere apologies.

Here’s why I do this….

Quoted from janeybird.wordpress.com
“I want to change perceptions and perspectives in society so we don’t run and hide from these things, but really try to do what is right and best for ourselves as we thrive on this planet.  The thing is, it’s terrifying to see. We can all be in this boat in an instant, or gradually in our older age. All of us. ”

I had a really difficult time putting my thoughts into words that’s why I thought our families’ blog was important.  Then I saw another blog, that put my intention most eloquently.  Thanks Janeybird!  You’re the best!  I love your blog!

How could we keep this event to our selves?  Our country is on the verge of an epidemic with Alzheimer Disorder (AD).  If we’ve found something that works for all of us, we should share it.   In essense it comes down to the golden rule.  Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.   Is it difficult to do?  Yes, damn right it is.  But also so worth it.   Not just because of the fun factor, but because its the right thing to do. 

How we blow off steam
So many times DS, DBL and I review an action that dad consistently does, and when we discuss it, I have to shout – Stop it, I’m going to pee my pants! (Cause we’re laughing so hard.  Just to assure you, Dad is not home at the time.  And cannot overhear this conversation.)

Alright I’ll share one funny incident with you.  Dad has a Shitzu named Kaitlyn.  Actually it was mom’s dog, and Dad inherited it after Mom passed on.  Dad and Kaitlyn are inseparable.  In the evening when Dad gets home from the Senior Center, he spends time with Kaitlyn, brushing her, greeting her, taking her for a walk.  Dad asks every day if she was fed.  (Eric always feeds the dogs).  Kaitlyn should weigh about 10 pounds.  But because Dad is always feeding Kaitlyn scraps – she weighs 30 pounds.  A regular roly-poly.  As I mentioned, Dad takes Kaitlyn for a walk every evening.  Then a few minutes after they get back, Dad says to Kaitlyn, OKay Kaitlyn are you ready for a walk??  Let’s go for a walk.  Kaitlyn, thoroughly confused, looks at Dad like he’s crazy?  But Dad ushers her out the door anyway and off they go.  This activity will repeat itself over and over again until we stop Dad and say… Dad, you already took Kaitlyn for a walk.  Dad will say, OH, I did?  Okay.  Then Kaitlyn wanders over to her bed and plops down (with great relief).

Anyway back to the primary topic.  I write this blog in hopes that other people will benefit from it as they work with their own families with Alzheimer’s Disorder (AD).  When Alzheime’rs presents itself, a family is presented with many, many choices.  Our family is an example of one choice/path.  While another family chooses another path.  I hope you benefit from our families example of how we chose to work with Dad and his Alzheimer.  I hope our example is worthy of your attention.  And wil lead you to good places.  We have benefitted from the help of many different Alzheimer’s support groups, caretaker support groups, the help of many doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc. with how to manage Dad and his illness.  I myself am grateful to my DSand her DBL and their excellent leadership qualities. 

Wishing you your highest good.