We Salute You

Spending years away from home, putting off parties and school and starting a family, walking away from friendships and relationships, offering up every waking moment and his life to serve this country in one way or another, and still remembering to send his sister flowers on her birthday is why I love our Servicemen. 

He is a United States Marine and he doesn't brag, so I am going to be a little less humble for him. My not-so-little brother, Demetri, has committed five years of his life to serve for our freedom; I am so thankful for him and all others who have sacrificed so much for us and our every day life. I miss him, mostly. But I am proud to have such a perfect example of handwork and sacrifice in my life. 

I know I keep throwing around the word sacrifice and it might sound dramatic but there is no other way to describe everything he has given up for you and I. Leaving for recruit training is not like leaving for college. Being stationed in a new (and usually miserable) place every six months is not comparable to a fun, foreign getaway.  Physical training at 5 a.m. every. single. day. is not like deciding to wake up early for a run in the morning. And giving up most contact with friends and family for however long is something that nearly none of us would do willingly. My heart is so full for my brother and his comrades. And when I think about the families, including my own parents, who lose a loved one for 4-5-6-7-8 years and a lot of times forever, the knot in my throat usually wins a short-lived battle. 

I love our Servicemen. My thankfulness is indescribable and I will remember to pay my respects to every veteran, every serving man and woman, and every lost life by spending my days trying to live up to their example. It is because of them we have the freedom to. Don't ever forget it. 

We salute you, Meach. 

I love you. 

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The Mother of all Days

Take a minute to think about her. Whether she is your crush, or your sister, your wife, or the mother of your child, your Mom, grandma, or even your daughter, whoever she may be, I’m asking you to take 60 seconds to really, really think about her. Picture her eyes when they sparkle as she talks about something or someone she loves, and how her hair is always a little imperfect, especially after a well-deserved nap. Think about her smile and how you feel when she shows it off. And how mad she can make you because she is so stubborn, or because she doesn’t always get dinner made by the time you feel hungry, and because she always bugs you about your messy closet, but how no matter what she says or does you can’t even fathom her not taking up one of the roomiest places in your heart. Remember how she carried a child for nine months of her life, then dedicated her every waking moment to him. And if she hasn’t become a mother yet, chances are, she probably will. But if she has, she is also to thank for giving you your siblings, your children, or nieces and nephews, or grandbabies, depending. Imagine her love for you, and realize that if her love is anything like your love for her, then it is unimaginable. Now I want you to thank your lucky stars that you, of all the people in this whole wide world, get to be in her company. This is for my mom, and for yours, on Mother’s day and every other day, because being a mom is a 24/7/365 day job and I bet she wouldn’t have it any other way.  Celebrate her today and reevaluate what your life would be like without her. Maybe it would be stress-less, or fight-less, or love-less, or chick flick movie-less, but really, it would be meaningless. I vow to appreciate my mom(s), along with my Zachary and Kannon always because without any of them, I wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate myself on the mother of all days.

Thanks for reading, and thank you, moms, for bringing all these beautiful people into this world. We love you and we hope you love you.

Yours, 

Shayna

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