A Pause in Memorial

Greetings Dear Reader,

This will be brief and we will return to our regularly scheduled discussion tomorrow.  Today, however, it is vital that I pause to show my grief and gratitude.  Today must be solemn or we lost something mighty.

We do not have to be somber or sorrowful all day.  We do, however, have an obligation to remember those who have died so that we can have picnics, barbeques, and baseball.  I choose to honor today by this writing and the actions I will relate herein. 

First, I want you to think of those in active service and the veterans you know.  They want you to understand that today is not about them.  The best way to honor them today is to understand that men and women who wear or have worn the uniform have someone they knew to war.   Many were there when life ended for friends and comrades.  Honor our living military by honestly seeing that they are memorizing on a personal level. 

Second, be clear in your compassion for those who have lost loved ones who they memorialize today and every day.  We set aside a day for this.  Those who have lost service men and women live Memorial Day every day.  We must be gentle and loving with them today, and honor their loss every day. 

The celebrations and vacations are not wrong.  They must contain moments of remembrance and gratitude to be honorable and show gratitude.  Were it not for the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform we would likely not be free to enjoy our beaches, parks, and recreation.  Just letting that sink in is a good start to understanding Memorial Day Dear Reader. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Gratitude Stories ~ 11/11

Greetings Dear Reader,

The world is in turmoil.  We are still on a war footing in the Middle East.  Antarctica may be the only continent where there is not rampant violence.  In this country our ability to disagree rationally is eroding daily. 

Photo by Kelly Barry

We talk about the impact of all this and how to make a difference.  We ask how we can impact the world in a way that will last.  It seems that the difficulties are too great for us assail.  Faith erodes and hope is thin.  Hope seems thinnest in the places where our minds and hearts are filled with pain and loss.  I have several veteran friends who have expressed this.

About a year ago I was at a coffee shop writing.  I had my “feel free to share my table” sign up because the coffee shop was busy and I wanted to respect the needs of the owner.  I was brain-deep in the novel I was writing and did not notice the young man who approached me.

Clearing his throat to get my attention, he asked as I looked up, “Is it OK if I sit here sir?”  It was the way he said “sir” that caught my attention.  Smiling broadly, I told him he was welcome to join me.  He quietly put down his coffee cup and took a seat opposite me. 

We introduced ourselves and I asked if he wanted to talk or just enjoy his breakfast.  He responded, “I don’t want to bother you sir.  I just did not want to sit by myself.”  It was that “sir” again that caught my attention.  It had a professional timbre rather than a submissive or timid quality. 

On a hunch I asked him, “Are you a veteran?”

“Yes sir,” he replied.

I asked then what I always ask.  It is an easy question for veterans to answer and it opens the door for conversation if they wish it.  I asked, “What was your job in the military?”

He told me that he was in the Army and what he did.  I leave it out here because it might be enough information to violate his privacy.  It was, however, the right question.  He immediately began to talk.  I was honored to listen and get to know a man who seemed to have little to show for his risk and sacrifice for my freedom.  Since his return from the desert and discharge he has been one of the walking wounded. 

He spoke honestly, not dramatically or emotionally of his struggles.  He has trouble socially and keeping a job.  He told me that he did not feel his problems mattered because he had no physical wounds.  He was in a vehicle destroyed by an IED.  The other three people in it were killed.  He did not get a scratch.  He felt guilty for being alive.

I just listened.  I will not begin to think for a moment that I am equipped to help him out of so much pain.  When he grew tired of talking, I told him that I only had one answer and that I realized he was not asking me for one.  He looked at me and said, “you are going to tell me about Jesus, aren’t you?”

I smiled again and said, “Not if I do not need to.”  He smiled back and said that he was running out of hope and just wanted someone to listen.  He said that I did that.  He explained that during the conversation he had decided that he needed to go to the VA and get some help.  I gave him my number and asked if he would just text me when he got there so I would not worry about him.  We both knew he could lie.

I have heard from him a couple of times since then.  I am grateful for him and everyone who has risked being brought home under a flag so that I could have the choice of whether or not to honor that flag.  Thank you to those who have served and risked all so that we can choose how we live.  I think to honor them we had best find ways to make choices that care for each other in a better way.

I did little in this gratitude story.  I am thankful Dear Reader that I was allowed to listen to a man who was looking for hope.  Do something today to show your gratitude to our veterans.  You could do something every day if you tried.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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The Promises of Christmas ~ Veterans

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

One of my Christmas habits is that I do not pass a Salvation Army Red Kettle without putting something in it.  At the grocery store where I shop regularly there has been a very old gentleman ringing the bell for the last three Wednesdays.  He wears a U.S. Marine Corps hat that is in good shape but quite old.

Each time I pass his kettle I drop in my donation and say, “Merry Christmas Marine.  Thank you for helping the ‘army’”.  The first two times he has laughed and returned my wish for a merry Christmas.

Yesterday he put a still strong hand on my arm to stop me from continuing on my way.  I looked up and saw tears in his eyes.  He said, “Three time now you have addressed me as ‘Marine’.  No one has done that for thirty years.  The thing I have done best in my life is to be a Marine.  I was one for twenty years.  I lost a lot of friends.  I miss being called that.  Thank you.”

We chatted a bit more and I thanked him for all he did to protect and serve our nation.  I thanked him for serving the Salvation Army.  As I walked away he called out cheerfully, “Don’t tell the other leather necks.  They would never forgive me.”

The promise of Christmas is that some day good men and women will not have to put their lives in harm’s way because of the foolishness of other men and women.  I long for the day when this is true.  Until then I want to make sure that every veteran knows how much love and respect I have for the time they gave.  I know that my freedom to celebrate comes from their efforts.

Merry Christmas to all of you veterans.  Thank you for your gift.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Are We Brave Enough to Truly Honor our Veterans?

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

It seems to me that I cannot escape the feeling that we have betrayed the blood of our veterans.  Men and Women have volunteered to leave family and home to enter harm’s way for us.  They have died, been wounded, and suffered trauma that will last the remainder of their lives.  How have we repaid them?

We have VA agencies that give poor if not criminal medical treatment.  We allow this to come to light and there is not a consensus of outrage.  We do not demand justice for them and destroy the pollical or professional careers of those who caused and allowed it.

Thousands of our veterans are homeless and we ignore the plight as we pass them by to get our pumpkin spice lattes.  We ignore them as we cue for a show at the downtown theater.  We sent them into hell and reject them because they came back smelling of sulfur. 

They stood on the line for our freedom and we squander that freedom over political posturing and pride.  What we should be doing is uniting in that freedom to show them and every American they defended love, kindness, compassion, and respect.

There is no excuse for us to thank them for their service and fail to use our freedom to serve each other.  We have paid for the party with our dearest blood and we demand more whilst our leaders on every side waste what they have given.  I am ashamed of what is becoming of a nation that can be an example of truth and justice if it chooses.  Instead the lives of our veterans are poured out like water in the sand. 

We need to wake up.  We need to truly honor their continuing sacrifice by building a UNITED States.  We need to use the mighty force we have to let go of greed and grasp ideas like honor and character again.

I am thankful for every soul that put his or her life on the line for my freedom.  I love and respect them.  I will honor them by treating everyone with love and respect.  I will thank them by being generous and kind.  It has always been the common man or woman who can change things in our nation.  Why don’t we commemorate our veterans by taking back the nation they preserve for us with a heavy serving of self-sacrifice and care for everyone?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Memorial Day 2015 - Hallow or Hollow?

Greetings Dear Reader,

This Holy Day changes for me every year.  First let me note that it is a Holy Day and not simply a holiday.  Remembrances surrounding death and sacrifice must remain holy and reflective. 

It changes for me because of the veterans I know that the ones who have passed.  As we are finally learning many are mortally wounded in combat but do not die for years.  The stress they bring home is not treated well and their own minds eventually claim them.  We do not do enough love and heal these walking wounded. 

I feel that we continually fail to count the cost of freedom.  We do not stop and reflect we plan picnics and camping trips.  We run to a resort while are military are still fighting.  We do not do enough to honor our fallen.  We do not do enough to care for our veterans.

In my own state there has been scandal over the abuse of veterans by the VA.  I personally know people who have been shelved and refused care.  My dear friend James reminded me on Thursday how important it is to treat this day as a day of remembrance and reflection.  You are right James.  I am doing that.  Thank you for the reminder.

I find my wondering which topic will get more conversation today: the rain on our grills or the loss of lives in American uniforms.  If we fail to honor our veterans both the living and the dead we fail as a nation.  We need to keep this day Holy.  We need to keep all the days that remember why we have freedom sacred.  If they become days off to have a picnic and all we celebrate is the opening of the community pool we have lost more than we can afford.  If we fail to Hallow this day we make it a Hollow one.

Wrong Side of Heaven – Five Finger Death Punch

I spoke to God today, and she said that she's ashamed.

What have I become, what have I done?

I spoke to the Devil today, and he swears he's not to blame.

And I understood, cause I feel the same.

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, righteous side of hell.

I heard from God today, and she sounded just like me.

What have I done, and who have I become.

I saw the Devil today, and he looked a lot like me.

I looked away, I turned away!

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, the righteous side of hell.

I'm not defending, downward descending,

Falling further and further away!

Getting closer every day!

I'm getting closer every day, to the end.

To the end, the end, the end,

I'm getting closer every day!

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, the righteous side of hell.

Far From Home – Five Finger Death Punch

Another day in this carnival of souls

Another night settles in as quickly as it goes

The memories of shadows, ink on the page

And I can't seem to find my way home

And it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything

To keep me out

All the places I've been and things I've seen

A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams

The faces of people I'll never see again

And I can't seem to find my way home

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to keep me out

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

To break me down

To break me down

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)