I am sitting here tonight in eager anticipation of this upcoming summer. We all look forward to the kids being out of school. The family vacations, going camping, fishing, hiking. All of those things that the summer months bring. I on other hand am looking forward to a different kind of trip. First off I have to say thank you to the wonderful man I married. Steve you have stood behind me even when it has been difficult. You have supported me when you haven't really wanted to. You have allowed me to plan this trip even though I know how difficult it is for you to let me forge this road alone. And for that I am forever gratful to you. You see I have been afforded an amazing opportunity to be apart of the 40th Anniversary of the National League of POW/MIA Families Conference this summer in Washington DC. I am sure some of you are thinking oh yah a conference. But there is a bigger significance to me in this trip. Those of you actually reading this and know me very well, are well aware of the fact that I have worn a MIA bracelet for close to 4 years now. The man on my bracelet is Major Thomas Warring Bennett Jr. or to me "Buddy" In the last year and half I have been offered the amazing opportunty to get to know one of Buddy's sisters, Teal. It wasn't until today when she emailed about part of the itinerary of our trip (I failed to mention I am meeting her in DC)that I realized just what all of this meant to me. She said to me "you and I will be representing Buddy" at the conference. Can you imagine. I am representing this man. This Major that has given the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. There are so many things that are significant about my bracelet. From the person who placed it on my wrist, to the date, to the conversations I have had because of it, to the people I have met because of it. And now in July, I will be boarding a plane for the first time, alone, to meet a woman I have only talked to in email....to represent the man whose permant place is a metal bracelet on my right wrist. I can't tell how you how it made me feel to read her words " you will represent" I am counting the days to DC. And I leave you with this.....what will you represent today?
1 comment:
When you spoke of your excitement in representing this person that gave up so much for you. I couldn't help but think of how we should feel that very same way. "proud" to represent the one who gave his life for us. Who paid the price for our freedom.
Jesus Christ.
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