We are just over a third of the way through Gratitude Month here from the quiet nest of EagleLaunch.
A couple of months ago my parents decided to downsize by moving from their two story home with a full basement and attic to a small ranch home. The older they’ve gotten, the more susceptible to falls they’ve become and this move is more of a preventative measure than anything else.
Anyway, a couple of days ago I was looking through some of my dad’s stuff in preparation for their move.
My dad was into a lot of different things, but next to his family, the one thing he was most proud of was his service to our country. He enlisted in the Army shortly after graduating from high school, only a few years removed from World War II, and at the start of the Korean Conflict.
As I touched his Army duffle bags hanging from the rafters of their attic, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude. Gratitude that I had a dad who was willing to put his life on the line in order to protect the freedoms of the people of our great country.
Without him and the millions of other men and women who’ve put their lives in harm’s way to allow us to live freely, our great nation would be a much different place today.
In spite of the division there seems to be due to Americans’ passionate pursuit of standing up for their personal values through their political preferences, and their ability to share these values instantly through the venue of social media, we are all joined at the hip with freedom…the reason we are able to voice our opinions, pursue our dreams, pray to God in whatever way our religion teaches us, and to simply be ourselves.
Today I am grateful for all the retired and active duffle bags hanging throughout the world, emblematic of the actions taken from an idea our forefathers had over 240 years ago…to protect our unalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness.
Thanks Dad.
Thanks Veterans.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”Â
