People join the Police Force, Fire Department and the Military for many different reasons - but ultimately they all are willing to put themselves between us and danger. So, even though they may make mistakes, or we may not always agree with where our leaders put them or what they ask of them, we should be eternally grateful they are willing to do what they do.

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!

"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,
"Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done, For
being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "
Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

Benz Blvd., Columbus Ohio

Been a while since Missy has posted any "old" photos - I thought she might like this one. I like the way Shelly is holding her hand. That pose of Dad's is so typical of him. Love the glasses Mar and it's been a looong time since I could get away with a halter top!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

"Our rural ancestors, with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain"

-- Alexander Pope

We went and did it!

Bev, Steph, Karen & I went in for our tatoos on Saturday. Not all of the ladies could make it, and Karen isn't 100 percent sure of what she wants, so she spent time looking over photos with her daughter to get ideas. We had stopped by earlier to check the place out. It is run by two really nice young men, Eric Starr and Jason Wells. As I said to them, if I had walked in and saw a big fat hairy guy, I probably would have turned around. Not to be prejudiced against big fat hairy guys, but I was intimadated enough. These guys were very kind and gracious.

Carl stopped by for moral support - and to see if we would really go through with it. Here I am with "my" tattoo artist Eric. I loved Bev's facial expresions.

That is Jason working on Steph - as you can see everything was very sanitary. And no - it doesn't hurt. I can't speak for anyone else, or for every situation, but the discomfort wasn't even anywhere near to what you feel when you step on a bee. We all loved our finished tattoos.

Happy Veterans Day

To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve our country a heartfelt thank you.

There is a difference between peer pressure, or doing something in defiance of your parents, and choosing as an adult to do something with the support of and in solidarity with your friends. In fact, I think there might be an argument that you shouldn't get a tattoo until you are 40. Approaching the half century mark, I know the difference. I decided to get chili peppers because even though I am almost 50, I still have a lot of spice in my life. I thought alot about where I wanted it - which is going to be on the inside of my ankle. I'm not exactly sure why - but I can just see it there.

Fidelity Is Not a Four Letter Word

My very good friend had her final divorce hearing today. The judge asked if both parties were entering the settlement voluntarily. She said she agreed to the settlement, but was being forced into it. Now, in symbolic entry into her new life she wants us girls all to go get a tattoo. What do you think?