Yesterday at church we had our "God and Country Day". I always look forward to it because of the opportunity to sing patriotic songs in a group setting. There's nothing like the sound of hundreds of voices raising the Star Spangled Banner. There's also the color guard bringing the flags to be presented, men in uniform, the Pledge of Allegiance; all those ceremonies that were such a part of my youth as an Army brat.

But this year, as last, I could hardly sing for the tears flowing. Dad, a 23-year Army veteran, has been gone for 2 years but I still miss him terribly and can never see or hear a patriotic theme without thinking of him. Ah, bittersweet it was to sing our country's national anthem without that staunch defender of our country alive to thank. How much I wished to have him by my side again so that I could see him snap to attention and salute to the flag. But Taps has rung over his grave and the guns have saluted his years of service. "This flag is given on behalf of a grateful nation" has rung in my unwilling ears and I cannot turn back time.

So, my Frl friends, I beg you to consider the sacrifice made on behalf of your freedom (where ever you live). Cherish the freedoms you have, be thankful for those who have served and are still serving selflessly, and be willing to stand up for right no matter the cost to yourself.

May God bless you all, my friends.

-- LindaMc (jungle.jim@cox.net), July 01, 2002

Answers

(((Linda)))

-- helen (sorry@this.fourth), July 01, 2002.

(((Linda))) I am still sometimes taken by surprise by a sudden longing to hug my dad - he's been dead over 10 years now. The pain lessens, but I doubt I'll ever stop missing him - just as you'll likely never be completely over your father's death (((Linda)))

Today is Canada Day (our version of the 4th). We, too, celebrated in church yesterday. I heard a wonderful song for the first time - called "A Song For Canada" by Lianna Klassen. You can hear part of it on her website liannaklassen.com - if you have any attachment to Canada, be prepared for tears.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), July 01, 2002.

For you ((((((Linda)))))) Turn on your speakers...

Happy 4th everyone!

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), July 03, 2002.

And Happy Canada Day, Tricia!

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), July 03, 2002.

And here's a hug from another one of us that misses his Dad too.

(((Linda)))

p.s. hope ya don't mind bein' hugged by someone that wears bright red socks :-)

-- Rob (sonofdust@misses.dad), July 03, 2002.

We lost someone special today. He was first and foremost a dad, a friend, and a good guy.

-- helen (sudden@and.unexepected), July 03, 2002.

Gayla: Beautiful music, thanks so much!

Rob: I especially accept hugs from guys in red socks! :^)

Helen: Some one in your family?

Tricia: Joyeaux Jour de Canada!

-- LindaMc (junglejim@cox.net), July 04, 2002.

Bad news.

Is the family holding allright? (Are you?)

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (racookpe@earthlink.net), July 04, 2002.

(((Helen)))

Happy Fourth to all my American friends! (It's still the 4th here, BTW)

Thanks for the good wishes, Gayla and Linda. It was a really nice Canada Day this year - a quiet day home with the family. No fireworks - too dangerous from being too dry, so just a quiet celebration.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), July 05, 2002.

Who was that guy anyway? He was a good man. I hope he knew we thought so.

Who was he? Where other men sowed wild oats, he gathered children and became their father. Where other men abandoned wives and children, he stepped into the gap. One of the children he was father to was one of our children. When our child came home, this guy didn't step aside from his role as father. Our child was still his child. He simply gathered all of us into his life along with the others. He was an absolutely trustworthy friend.

He was in the process of gathering still another family when he simply died in his sleep. For his sake, we took his newest family to him, waited with them while they grieved, held hands with them, wept with them, made sure the rest of the family knew who they were. The rest of the family didn't know much about the newest members, but their response was an overwhelming affirmation of the love he had left behind. The family took these strangers fully into their circle, a huge extended family that has no equivalent written in legal terms. If they choose to stay, they will be welcome.

Who was that guy anyway? He was a good man. He was a man who made gathering the lost look easy.

-- helen (big@shoes.left.to.fill), July 07, 2002.