So we find ourselves preparing for the first concert of ten in a row. It will take us from South Dakota to Arizona with five other states in between. We won’t return home until the day before Thanksgiving, so it means that all of us had to go thru the goodbyes with our families.
It’s always easy for my son, because he likes being the man of the house in my absence, but it is never easy for my wife and daughter. Usually when we have these longer trips it gets a little solemn at my house the day and evening before, and it was no different this time. Tamra and Kylie were both on the quiet side all thru dinner and throughout the evening. We woke up early Friday morning and had breakfast together before we said our goodbyes. Tam was off to work and I had to pack for the trip.
I turned the TV on to Fox news, getting geared up for being on the bus with Fowler, and was reminded that it was Veterans day. Now you all know that I have a strange thought process, and somehow in my mind Veterans day was not until Monday. I did know it was close because my daughter and I had watched the Vietnam in HD special on the History channel. It was a great way for Kylie to learn about the war for her home schooling, and it was an incredibly good presentation that if you missed, you should be sure to catch. In our house, we are very proud and thankful for the many Veterans who have served this country, and made it what it is, the greatest nation on earth!
As I was packing there was an interview on Fox News that really got my attention. It was a man whose son had wanted to join the military at the age of 17. This man was career military himself, so he was both thrilled and proud that his son would choose to follow in his footsteps. But being only 17, the young man could only join if his father signed for him. The man continued to explain in the interview that he was proud to sign his son up at 17, and was thrilled and proud as he watched his son excel at an unbelievable pace thru the ranks.
It was at this point that the interview really gripped my heart, as the father explained how in 2006 his son was killed in action trying to help one of his buddies who had been shot and was still in the line of fire. He explained that as his son was trying to reach his injured friend he was killed by enemy fire. I was amazed at the strength of this man as he sat there talking about his son and the sacrifice his son had made.
Now I’ll be the first to tell you, it didn’t change the fact that I was struggling with having to walk out of my house and not seeing my family for almost 2 weeks, but there was one simple truth that made it a lot easier than before. I would be coming home! Yes, saying goodbye was difficult, but in no way was it the same as what that family had walked thru.
As I have stated before, if you look hard enough, you can always find someone who is walking thru something that makes your valley look like a mountain top. It’s all perspective, and how we choose to look at the situation we are in, so I choose to thank God for the opportunity to do something that I love, with a wonderful group of men that I am privileged to have in my life.
We are quickly approaching Thanksgiving. A time to reflect on the things in life that we are grateful to God for. So I challenge you over the next few days to reexamine your perspective, and make sure that it is one of thanks for the many things God has done for us that we sometimes let slip thru the cracks. Also, make it a point this week to thank all of the Veterans that you know for their wonderful gift of service to our country. Without their service, this country would not be anything that it is today!
Until next time…..
Gus, you gotta watch these post titles. My heart sank when I read it, thinking one of you guys were leaving! Don’t do that to us! lol Thanks though for a very thought provoking talk. We are so grateful that my cousin came home from Afghanistan this past summer, SAFE AND SOUND!!!!
Sorry!!! You can rest assured, we have decided at this point that no one in the group can leave. Kind of a Mafia approach! Ha!
Sounds good to me! !!!!
To be honest, I kinda panicked at the title, too. Lol the story about the young man is so sad. It reminds me that I need to be more thankful for our Veterens. I was living on the East Coast, and was only four years old, on 9/11/01……..had there not been someone to defend against the terrorist, I probably wouldn’t be here today. How awesome it is to be an American!!
That is a great point Rebecca! Definitely something to be thankful for!
Well said, Gus. We do have so much to be thankful for. My niece and her husband have adopted four special needs children from China. One of them passed away about a year and half ago. But when I see these children and think of what their lives would be if they had stayed in China it makes me so thankful to live in a country where we are so blessed with medical technology and are able to make a difference in these kid’s lives. Also, I’m so proud of my niece and her family for their unselfish giving of themselves and their resources.
Mary, I know exactly what you are talking about. Our very own Scott & Kelly Howard adopted their youngest daughter Jenna from Siberia. She is a wonderful child with a smile that lights up what ever room she is in. Just think of the people that would not get to witness the joy of this child had the Howards not brought her into their home!
I had the great fortune too see Legacy Five live last night in Sioux Falls, SD.
What a great show. I am sorry I did not get a chance to thank you for keeping us up to date on Legacy Five happenings but, did get to talk to Glen. After spending the day at the Brown’s concert all I can say is that I am very greatful that I have the freedom the choose my religion.
Thank you from a veteran.
Thank you Beccie for your service!
My heart, too, skipped a beat when I saw the title. I was thinking “Who else is leaving?” Yes, I agree, NO ONE CAN LEAVE!!!! That’s an order!
I am so thankful for family and good friends that keep me going in the tough times. I just came back from a wonderful weekend of dancing and it works out great when we can meet up half way. We sang “God Bless America” in honor of 11/11.
I’ll see you soon!
Gus, you scared me with that title. I was afraid to start reading it, wondering which one of you was leaving. I surely hope the group stays together for many years to come. It must be hard on all of you when you have to leave your families for a long period of time, and it is great that they are understanding. We are thankful that they are willing to let you travel and bring a blessing to so many others. I pray God will bless them in a special way.
I too, am thankful, for our veterans, for those who sacrificed so much that we might have freedom.
I live in a military (army) town and have witnessed first-hand how much our soldiers and their families sacrifice. A friend of ours recently retired from the army and gave a speech at his retirement party, He said that out of 9 birthdays his son had had, he was home for 2. On the other birthdays, he was either deployed or away in training. I have been complaining under my breath because our son will be turning 13 on the 21st (we’re celebrating at the L5 concert in Mesa..lol) and wants a big birthday party this coming weekend. It will be work for me, but when I put it into perspective, we are together as a family and we have freedom and blessings that many others don’t (thanks veterans and active-duty military).
As usual, a great post, although my heart sank a bit at the title initially. See you guys in Mesa, Az.
Unlike everybody else, I didn’t think somebody from the group was leaving…..Don’t judge a book by it’s cover??
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The part about you having to leave your family got to me. That has got to be one of the more challenging aspects of your job. As grateful as we all are for the music you provide, it comes at a price. I suppose all jobs have a price tag attached, don’t they?
I pray for your safety as you travel those many miles.
when it comes to veterans, my dad served in world war II on 9/11 he was on a plan going to spookan washington for his world war II army reunion. but because of the attack his plain never left the ground, he met a person who was flying on the same flilght but was a business man going to a sales convention and he was talking to my dad and after all the flights were cancelled this stranger went out of his way and took my dad home . My dad calls this person his guarding angel.