Tuesday Random Thoughts

Since this is my final post of 2008, I chose to write a complete hodgepodge of thoughts.

Today, I am going to BWI to welcome home heroes. The Washington Post featured Operation Welcome Home on Christmas Eve. Our local news covered this outstanding organization as well. As I watch these brave men and women come through the airport's security doors, I cry. They thank us! Some of them are so overwhelmed by the hoopla, they bow their heads. I reach to shake the hands of as many as possible, and hopefully they know my tears speak while my voice is stuck somewhere in my throat. I am in awe by each and every one of them! My goals for 2009 are to recruit more people to join me in welcoming home troops at local airports and to request Sunday School classes to write Thank You cards which I will hand deliver to our troops at BWI.

MudPuppy is my first "adopted" SoldierSon. I am relatively new to the blogging world and his blog was one of the first I began to follow on a regular basis. His writing style is brilliant, but be forewarned...he puts it as it is. If you can't take it, don't read it. My heart is filled with gratitude, respect and love for this young soldier. MudPuppy will receive packages from me throughout the year, it is the very least I can do to show my heartfelt thanks for what he does for me each day! My second SoldierSon is David, my AdoptedSoldier. He too, will see packages of random pieces of home. The simple things which we take for granted, mean so very much to these brave men and women.

Prayers, prayers and more prayers for Airmen who I have not met: Michelle's daughter, Shay. Travis and Bryan are two fine Airman who are serving in Afghanistan and need prayers. Christopher who I have been introduced to by HL is on my prayer list and package list. Zachary, a young Marine who graduated with my son, John and is currently serving in Afghanistan also is in need of prayers and packages from home!

My sons. B is going to Korea for two weeks. He is in the United States Air Force Reserves. May Almighty God watch over him while he is away and bring him home safely. John may or may not be deployed in 2009. Chances are good, my youngest son will find himself in the Middle East. It is all in God's hands.

My youngest daughter, Marie. In just a few short weeks my baby girl, my sweet angel will hold her daughter. My prayers are lifted, since this sweet grandgirl of mine already is causing a wee bit of concern; this baby has decided she is enjoying her tranverse position inside her momma (meaning she is sideways). There is not much more time or room for her to get into a better position for a natural birth. I know God is good and always has a good plan. Marie keeps saying that her daughter may know something the rest of us don't know...so if a 'section' is needed to bring this baby in the world, so be it. I so look forward to holding this precious child in my arms. I look forward to staying with my daughter and son-in-law for a week to help them, as they care for their sweet girl. I look forward to watching my daughter, as she mothers her daughter. Truly, I am deeply blessed to know this honor. *HAPPY NOTE- I just got off the phone with Marie who saw the doctor this morning; Our Sweet Angel is turned and in position to enter the world naturally! I guess those strange pains Marie was enduring on Christmas Day, was the baby flipping and dropping! Woo-Hoo!!!! I will be able to watch this sweet angel's birth!!!!!

So, as we move into a new year...I pray that each and every one of you know peace in your heart. I pray that you enjoy a year of good health. I pray that you are richly blessed in what makes you whole.

May Almighty God bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine. May God bring comfort to the families who have lost loved ones. May God reunite families who are separated, whether it is within our country or by an ocean. May we all show love towards one another, in deeds and words.
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It is still this year, so I have posted a few photos from today at BWI. My camera is not the best, perhaps next year I will own a nicer camera and be able to capture these moments a bit better! It was simply amazing to be there and greet our troops. One sweet soldier was so very overwhelmed, she cried her way through the long pathway of greeters. OWH had so many volunteers today, oodles of Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts giving out cookies! There were two groups of Red Hatters (yes, I am one of them). Shaking the hands of these soldiers is an honor, which has no words. As these heroes were bumping knuckles with Cub Scouts, I stood there taking in the moment. So very grateful to whisper a "welcome home" or a "thank you". I wanted to hug each of them, as they are my own children. Truth is, they are our children. They represent us. They are us. May Almighty God Bless each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine!