My Grandpa a Proud Marine!

Obama Opprobrious Or Not?

Obama's refusal to raise his hand for the National Anthem and his decision to give up an opportunity to meet with injured soldiers in Germany is a telltale  to the man wanting be President of the United States of America.  I have always had a deep gratitude for our military.  On my maternal side of the family I have 3 generations of military service men.  I have spent hours with my grandfather listening about his personal battle at Iwo Jima in World War II.  He was only 18 years old and fought in the bloodiest battle in marine history.  In that war 6,821 marines died and 19, 189 were wounded.  The Japanese lost 20, 703 men and on February 23, 1945 the raising of the American Flag signified our defeat of the Japanese. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/battle_of_Iwo_Jima 

Grandpa landed on the island and drove his bull dozier ahead of other marine buddies  to make a path for them.  Grandpa was under rifle fire the minute his dozier hit land.  He watched his captain explode before his very eyes and buddies around him ranging in age of 18 years old to 27 get shot down like sitting ducks.  But, they were marines and were fighting for their country, they pressed on.  Grandpa was there that day the flag was raised, he couldn't see it from where he was, but he was there.  Grandpa's last job on the island was to dig the graves of thousands of marines who fought courageously and lost their lives.  Grandpa said that they made sure all the dead had proper burials, "that's what marines do Sharon, we make sure the job is completely finished."

Grandpa's stories are frightening, exciting and valiant.  His military life alone, has embedded in me a deep pride for our flag and our anthem.  What an honor it is to have symbols of our freedom and the people who fought for our freedom.  It is opprobrious for anyone of any political association, race, or gender to dishonor the flag or our anthem.  The flag and anthem allegorically stand for the very reason Obama is where he is today.  There is an evolving reality now in 2008, not dream, that all men are created equal and America is the platform for those dreams.  Obama would not be where he is at today if it were not for the flag and the servicemen and women who fought for the very freedom he enjoys.  The freedom for all to have opinions on guns, wars, abortion, health care, immigrants, death penalty and religion.  The freedom to work, buy a house, drink running water, use electricity and yes run expensive campaigns!  All of our "luxuries"  were not just given to us.  

Mr. Obama, freedom does not come free.  Everything we do in life must be earned and sacrificed for.  I am beginning to think that all Americans should spend time in third-world, impoverished, dictator led countries so that when they step foot on American soil they unreservedly raise their hand in reverence to our flag and when they hear our Anthem they stand proud hand over their heart.

 You can find more info about this photo at http:www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp   

Who holds the popcorn when you go to the movies?

My husband Steve and I went with some friends  to see a movie this last weekend.  It was the usual night at the movies... We parked, walked into the theatre discussed what we are going to see, bought our tickets and then stood in  line for our popcorn.  We got our popcorn without butter, although we love the butter it is on our "not now" list.    I am the red vine licorice kind of girl, but have never passed up the chance to eat the popcorn if it is sitting in front of me. 

 Steve purchased the popcorn continued to hold it as we found seats to sit down.    After the previews I began to have the desire to hold the popcorn bag but it never turned into a real need.   Steve on the other hand, simply cannot function throughout a movie if he is not holding the popcorn.  Seriously, he REALLY needs to hold the popcorn. This sequence of events is a ritual every time we are at the movies.

 Throughout the movie I would make a comment to our friends and every time I would notice that the wife was holding the popcorn.  So, the popcorn holder is not gender based  I thought? The entire movie she held the popcorn.  I began to think about when my dad would take me to the movies as a girl and even to this day, how he would always hold the popcorn.  I looked down our aisle occasionally to see if the popcorn bags around us ever moved?  And you know what?  They really didn't.  They all seem to stay with the original popcorn bag hand holder.

 I am wondering if  holding popcorn in the movie signifies  a greater  metaphor about who we are?  Or is it simply a reflection of a partner who may enjoy popcorn more than their movie mate?  

To blog or not to blog....

I love to write, or I thought I did.  One of my dear friends encouraged me to do so this past January.  I  thought it was a great idea.  Blogging would give me an outlet to share experiences in my own journey of life.    Writing would be part of  expressing my life as a woman, wife, mother of three, daughter, friend, professional counselor and especially the facet of my life where I encounter ambivalence; towards politics, spirituality, relationships and parenting. 

But four months from my last posting I am still trying to figure out how to write.  My life is full, very full, yet there is a desire for expression.  If writing is so important to me, why is it the last thing on my list to do?  What holds me back from just sitting down and writing?  

I guess for now I have decided to stop thinking about it and go to bed!