Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 11

Day 11. The Letter K. 

I’ve always had a fascination with Koala Bears, those fuzzy marsupials from Down Under with lighter colored tufts coming out of their ears and sparkly little eyes. They look intelligent and thoughtful like they have loads of great thoughts they’d love to share with you. I’ve only had the pleasure of seeing them "in person" once – a few years ago at the San Diego zoo, and seeing the mama koala with a baby on her back lumber along at a sloth’s pace was worth the price of admission.

Then, a couple of years ago, I started getting comments on my blog from someone named Koala Bear Writer. Since then, I’ve learned she is from Canada, a fellow writer, and we’ve become cyber friends. So in honor of Koala Bear Writer, I’m thankful today for those who’ve made my life richer through cyberspace. Here are a few of my favorite blog stops: an even dozen for your reading pleasure. When you visit, be sure and say I sent you!

Koala Bear Writer

Erica Vetsch

Courtney Walsh 

Susan Meissner

Anne Mateer

Jenny B. Jones

Southern BelleView

Billy Coffey

Novel Journey

Camille Eide

Myra Johnson

Rel Mollett 

Rel is a real girl from Down Under, so hats off to her today, too, on Koala Day!! 

And an added thanks to all the veterans who've sacrificed their time and lives for our country, especially to my dad who served in Korea and to my son, Brett, who is on active duty now with the US Coast Guard. I'm proud of you and appreciate you. God Bless America!

SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS AND TROOPS

My dad (2nd from right) during the 1930s

My dad grew up in Oklahoma during the Great Depression, the second of six children. Raised on a farm, he has talked about doing without and once marveled at how his mother could feed a family of eight with only one can of salmon. He was too young to enter WWII, but after he graduated from high school, he did a three year hitch in the US Army and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska a good part of that time. One of his favorite memories was shaking hands with Gen. Eisenhower. He married my mom when he got out of the Army, but when I was six months old, was recalled to serve in Korea. I've tried to find the picture of him there (I know my sister copied it and gave it to me, but I can't find it - sigh).

My dad today working in his shop

Over the years my dad's been a hero to me in many ways, but fighting in a war and not knowing whether he would ever see my mom or me again must have haunted many of his nights as he built bridges and tramped through the rice patties of Korea. I really can't imagine. A simple thank you seems frail and inadequate. I only know that I'm grateful that he survived not only the Depression, but also the rigors of war.

Brett on CG Cutter off the coast of Alaska

I have a present day hero as well.
Our son, Brett, has been in the US Coast Guard for fifteen years. His cutter assisted in the Indonesian tsunami relief; he's served a year in Bahrain, pursued pirate ships off the coasts of Africa and Belize, and stepped foot on nearly every continent. He leads a life of adventure, but I know, too, that he is doing a worthy work, something for which I, as a regular citizen, have a poor concept of. I don't tell him thank you often enough.

For veterans and troops across our land and those overseas, I salute you. May God bestow on you the crown of glory for your sacrifice and loyalty to our great country.

IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS

My dad is my hero. Someone who's always ready with another story or good advice. Although he didn't go to college, me made certain my sisters and I did. And along the way, he instilled in me a strong work ethic, a love of God, and the value of “keeping my nose clean and to the grindstone.” He also taught me some universal truths like: Don’t pick up a live mouse by the tail and you can “shoot the moon” in a game of pitch with only an ace and a deuce—providing it’s the first hand of a new game. My first published article was about my dad, and I have it on my website if you’d like to read it.

The other thing my dad did for me was serve our country in Korea when I was an infant. He was drafted into the Army in the post WW II era, but he never saw any action. He came home, married my mother, and started a family. When the Korean War broke out, he was called up from the reserves. An inveterate storyteller, who has charmed family and friends for generations, my dad rarely speaks of his time in Korea. I know he witnessed the ravages of war in a way that most of us can only imagine and that perhaps it brought back too many painful memories.

One evening, though, about 2 ½ years ago, my writing friend, Charles (Chuck) Sasser, told me about a book he was writing called God in the Foxholes. He was collecting stories of American veterans from all eras, but was particularly interested in those of WW II and Korean soldiers since so many of them were no longer alive. Long story short, Chuck’s book released this week in time for Veteran’s Day, and it is wonderful

My dad’s story is in there, with a picture of him in his Army uniform. I had heard only snatches of the story and came away with tear-filled eyes and an even greater appreciation for what my dad and so many others have done to make this country a safe place to live, work, and raise my children.

To you, Daddy, thanks. You are loved.