One thing I love to do around Christmastime is to snuggle into the rocking chair in my parents living room in the evenings with only the tree lights on, wrapped in a blanket sipping hot tea. I love gazing at all of the ornaments and the way the lights reflect off of the shiny wrapping paper of the gifts stacked below. It’s such a magical time of year. The wonder and excitement of it all gives me a warm, happy feeling inside. Continue reading “Packages Tied up with String”
How amazing were those? I hope you’ve loved hearing the insight and perspective from each of those women as much as I did. They are powerful, beautiful and courageous. I was so blessed to get to speak with each of them. Thank you to Jodi, Ashley, Jessica, Hayley and Kara SO much for being a part of this series. You are carriers of an important message. Also I want to thank you, the readers, for reading and showing up to hear from these amazing women – it has been my heart from the start to honor them by letting their voice be heard in this way. Continue reading “The Finale: Honor is Many Things, but it is Not Political”
Kara is the wife of a Transportation Coordinator Officer for the United States Army Reserves. Kara is unique in that she is not only a military wife, but also a veteran. She served in the United States Army for five years. How amazing is that!? She is a mom of two beautiful girls, currently works in Behavioral Heath and is working towards earning her masters in Public Health from the University of Missouri. Here is what honor means to her and her message for our future generations: Continue reading “Honor, Part Six: Appreciation”
Hayley is an Air Force Wife. Here is what honor means to her, in her own words:
“Honor. It’s one of those words that can take on so many different meanings in someone’s life. For me, and probably for a lot of people, it has always been a verb. You’re taught to honor your mother and your father, to honor your obligations and commitments. It wasn’t until I became a military wife that the word honor kind of became a noun in many ways, and really came full circle in my life. Continue reading “Honor, Part Five: A Noun, Not a Verb”
To Jessica, honor starts with a positive attitude and a posture of service. She is a Navy wife and a mom. Continue reading “Honor, Part Four: Attitude”
Ashley is a Marine Corps wife. Here is what honor means to her, in her own words:
“When asked to write about honor, I honestly had to Google it. I understand what the word means; however, as a military family, I am constantly surrounded by what many call honorable men and women. They serve and protect our country, which is most definitely an honorable thing. But being around it 24/7 we see so much more than just men and women in uniforms. I see my husband, I see friends, I see normal people, and I see families. Continue reading “Honor, Part Three: Privilege”
Loyalty: the first word that came to Jodi’s mind when thinking about honor. “It means showing your loyalty to something you believe in, whether that’s your country, your family, your marriage, or your parents.” Continue reading “Honor, Part Two: Loyalty”
“The truth is, the most powerful weapons of the US Military are the boots on the ground at home” Continue reading “Honor, Part One”
Today is day seven that Kirby has been away on his mission trip to the Philippines. Gosh, I’m so proud of him. I feel a glow around my heart thinking of him, hearing his stories over a crackly FaceTime, seeing the photos pop up on Facebook of children posing with him, smiles an ocean wide. Deep appreciation and love well up in my heart for him. Not because things or life is perfect, because most of the time life is far from perfect, but because at the end of the day, when I step back and zoom out, I remember just how lucky I am.
Do you know how valuable you are?
Thoughts from the Dock 