30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 11

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 11

I'm thankful for the opportunities afforded me by the price paid by soldiers

Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  The day that we take time out to say thank you to those brave souls for giving Uncle Sam ultimate dominion over their lives for a period of time.  If you think about it there is not really anything adequate to demonstrate the high level of gratitude due to those that defend our rights as Americans.  To have the cojones/stones/balls to defend that which may not benefit you, that which you don't believe or support AND the right of others to express themselves and their views on things/people/life, that takes a special kind of person.

With the the current tides, tones, and issues in the U.S. right now, I'm more in awe of the folks in my life that took that step than ever.  A step that most of of the population has never considered, thought about, or even spent mental energy on.  The basis for the step may have been completely altruistic or it may have been taken in order to set themselves on a better path than the one they stepped off of, my gratitude is the same regardless.

I don't know that I could answer that call

The 18/19 year old me could've done it.  I had planned on it, but was offered another road away from the place I was so desperate to escape from.   But the 38 year old me... Not so much.  There is SO much about the world that I can't stand / fathom / stomach / understand that I honestly cannot say with certainty that I wouldn't lose my Jesus and go Planet of the Apes on some dumb ass that's fucking off, based on the check that I'd have written to my Government.  I know, I know "way to bring the room down!  I thought you were a granola hippy?"  Yeah, yeah I am to an extent, but I'm a conservative hippy (that's a conversation for another day).
If it wasn't for the folks that have touched my sphere of existence (those pictured above), and the numerous other nameless/faceless souls we wouldn't have the freedom to stand up and cheer for things that you believe in or conversely voice our opinion or displeasure at something that's happening in our neighborhood/city/county/state and country.

So Thank You!

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015: Day 9

30 Day of Thanksgiving 2015

Day 9

I'm thankful for the religious in my life that don't bag on me for not being all religiousy

I grew up being beat about the head, neck, and shoulders with: "...you're going to hell!".  Now there were so many slights that could preface the going to hell, that it got to the point where I was a snarky beasty and said "as long as you're not there, it's all good!".  I know, I know total bad seed and all.  But it helped me along to where I was like I'm not really into "religious". 

And then there were the Sundays spent in 3-5 hours of Sunday School... Yes you read that correct Three (3) to Five (5) hours of Sunday School.  My church didn't have a full time pastor, so we would only have church every other Sunday & even on church Sundays, you were guaranteed at least 2-3 hours of Sunday School.  Most understand that children don't have the attention span for all that, heck I as an adult right now don't have the attention span for that.  But then the cherry on top was that I and my cousin, Bunn, were often times the only non card carrying members of AARP or on Pension in attendance.  So I didn't understand that church could be brief (45 - 60 mins) or fun.

And then I got to college!

And in this mythical place I was introduced to folks that spent all kinds of time @ church and had fun doing it. This.Blew.My.Mind.  The bad part is that I again ran into those that brow-beat me with their religion and how I was not following the path!  Like dude what are you talking about, God is all about free will, he gives you options and hopes that you chose wisely or are willing to ask for assistance to find the one that's correct for you.  And then I ran into my church elves, the ones that will still love me for me, offer me assistance when needed/necessary, and let me pick their brains about God, Jesus, The Bible, Church stuff, etc.  I wouldn't trade these elves for nothin' in the world.  They understand that I'm not challenging what they do/believe and the path that I'm walking is my own.