Little Oak Tree

It's Memorial Day.

A day that I don't recall ever paying any special attention to as a kid. I know in high school it was a long weekend that my friends and I would spend at my Dad's lake house, sun bathing, swimming and sleeping.....was that really 11+ years ago? I suppose it was.

Life has since brought me to a different path. One where Memorial Day makes my heart ache. An ache for the families of all the soldiers in this big extended military family of mine who did not come home. And not just in this war, but in war's past where men would go off to fight hoping and praying they would see their families again, while knowing that some of them would not. My heart aches for my own husband, far off in the sandbox, missing baby milestones, missing an entire year in the life of his very young children to serve his country as he swore an oath to do no matter where it called him.

With the ache though there comes an unmistakable swelling of pride and honor to be included in a life who's purpose surpasses only caring for ourselves. A life full of service to others, a life not convenient or easy but always pushing us to grow and learn, a life that teaches our children no matter where we go or how far apart we may be our family is always strong.

The amazing thing about keeping a journal is that it gives us the opportunity to look back on our lives and see where we used to be. Last night I did just that, looking back to May of 2008 just to see where I was about this time two years ago in the midst of our first deployment. On May 29th, 2008 I had an entry that read like this:

"Today Edo wanted to continue the conversation from yesterday about "If you were a color what would it be" or "If you were an animal what would you be". He likes this game. Today he asked "If you were a plant, what would you be?" We all quickly came to the agreement that Pudah would be a sunflower because he is always so bright and cheery, and Ladybug would be daisy because she is so pretty and dainty. Edo then spoke up and said :

"Mommy, I know JUST what kind of plant Daddy would be."

Yeah? I asked, What would that be?"

"He would be an Oak Tree. For sure.

*big pause*

So I think I will be a Little Oak Tree."

This to me absolutely DEFINES who my husband is at his core, and it was amazing to realize this is also how our children see him. It touched my heart that day, and re-reading it still brings tears to my eyes.

My hope this Memorial Day is that everyone will take the time to remember those serving, those who have served, and most especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Perhaps in sharing their stories of service, honor, and sacrifice we can plant the seeds for a whole new forest of little oak trees like mine.