[…]chocolate, and they test out special “treats” on Mother’s Day. I remember the year our girls decided to serve me breakfast in bed; the “cinnamon toast” would have been delicious, except that they thought the can of nutmeg was cinnamon. Between large gulps of milk, I enthusiastically praised them for their wonderful cuisine. Mothers are evolving creatures. They begin by adoring their new babies with coos of “Isn’t she beautiful?” and later find themselves saying, “I’m not going to tell you again!” They dream of someday wearing a clean white blouse, which will still be free of stains by the […]
[…](Major General) Douglas Carver, U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains, say that the three main reasons soldiers are killing themselves are because of personal shame, failed relationships, and being isolated from community. Honesty is a common value of all the services. In the seasons of “everything under the sun,” there is a time to drive on and a time to ask for help. Acknowledging that your spirit, soul, or body is in pain is the right thing to do whether you’re junior enlisted, NCO, officer, or family member. A close friend of mine saw a doctor because of a sharp stabbing […]
[…]leave. His baby was not quite a month old when he deployed. The other soldier was only nineteen years old. Man, did I start to feel my age then! Towards the end of our time together, I asked if I could say a quick prayer for them. “Sure, sir,” the guard said. “Always love it when you pray for us.” I put my arms around their shoulders and prayed for them. I asked that God would be with them throughout the night and help them stay awake and alert. I prayed for their families. And as always, I prayed that […]