Memorial Day - Sit Down Already!

On Memorial Sunday, my church's choir sings a number from the upcoming Patriotic Musical - to be performed close to the Independence Day weekend celebration. During the song, which is a celebration of our country's military, members of the congregation who currently serve or have in the past served in our country's military are asked to stand and be recognized.

I hate it.

Not that I am ashamed of my time in the military (U.S. Navy, 1984 - 1988). I'm not! I'm very proud to have served my country; to be a plankowner (commissioning crew member) on one of our navy's finest vessels: USS Elrod (FFG-55). To have served in Desert Shield was an honor.

We stand and are recognized on Independence Day. We stand and are recognized on Veterans Day. But Memorial Day? No. This day is set aside for those who CANNOT stand. It is to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They are in a different class from the rest.

No, we service members should not stand and be recognized on this day - unless EVERYONE ELSE stands with us.

To the fallen - thank you. May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give you everlasting peace.

© Emittravel 2011

Libby's, Libby's, Libby's on the Label, Label, Label

I received a comment concerning one of my blog entries (via Facebook) that said I "told it like it is regardless of personal affiliations." That was a very nice thing to say, but at the same time it got me thinking: Why do we have this desire to put labels on everything and everyone?

I'm no Republican, though many of my comments line up with conservative Republicanism. I'm no Democrat, though I have a big heart for the down-trodden - I just believe there are different methodologies needed than "government" to solve social issues. I don't consider myself religious, though I believe Jesus was and is who He said He was and is - ("religion" - an old word meaning "to strangle").

The idea, I suppose, is that it is easier to make decisions based on group-think, than on individuals themselves. Voter blocks instead of voters. Too messy I guess trying to connect with each one. Just ask our House of Representatives how easy it is for 435 members to really connect with 300 million people. Do the math. And you wonder why lobbyists have so much power?

But that's a topic for another blog entry.

Maybe some of these labels ring a bell: "evil rich", "upper class", "middle class", "lower class", "Hispanic", "black", "white", "liberal", "conservative", "right-wing", "left-wing", "heathen", "righteous", "jock", "drama f*g", "in-crowd", "out cast" . . . stupid. I'm sure you can think of plenty yourself.

How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a label? When asked what you do, do you respond with who you are? "I am an administrative assistant, fireman, teacher, accountant, etc." As if your very identity was tied to your job . . . a label? It's so easy to do that. Sometimes it's nothing more than common grammar usage - but what if it is truly you applying a label to yourself? And who are you if that label gets stripped away?

 I hope as people get to know me that they will have a lot of difficulty placing a label on me. And if they do I hope that I can take a cheap erasure and smudge it a bit. How about you?

© Emittravel 2011

From One Kiss to the Next

Your eyes are closed.

The warmth of your lips

is still lingering on mine.

The world has melted away.

All that exists,

all that has any meaning

is here.

Right now.

One hand caresses your face.

The other strokes your back

(looking for wings).

Almost unreal is this moment.

Your eyes are still closed

as I drink of you.

You look at me and I melt.

A smile and my heart

explodes with joy

within me.

A touch and my very being

cries out to hold you.

How does one vie

for the affection of an angel?

What must one do

to prove oneself

worthy of her love?

How can mere words

express the love in my heart for her?

…And not scare her away?

Oh God in heaven!

Grant me this one prayer:

Let me be the man she needs;

she desires;

that she’s been praying for.

Or wake me from this dream ‘fore I die.

All this is the cry of my heart

as I look upon you.

With your eyes still closed.

From one kiss

to the next.

J.P. Wiegand

©Emittravel 2003

The moment between. If one is even capable of thinking during that time, what would be the thoughts. Do you remember such a moment in your life? Go ahead. Take a moment. Remember. And then, take another moment and share it. I'd love to read about it.

-j.p.

© Emittravel 2011

Stuff My Brain Says #10

Just remember: it is far easier to bear one's cross, than to be one bare on a cross. (Thank you Jesus!)

© Emittravel 2011

Stuff My Brain Says #9

I find it amazing that climate change alarmists can claim that hurricanes and tornados are evidence of global warming, but when temperatures dip to record freezing they say, “Move along, move along. Nothing to see here.”

© Emittravel 2011

Stuff My Brain Says #8

The Cleveland Water Department is about to hike rates. One of the reasons given was that there has been a continuing decrease in water use - 80% of the costs for the system are "fixed". So, conserving water results in higher rates. Time to go and let the sprinklers RUN so the costs can go down?!?

© Emittravel 2011

Stuff My Brain Says #7

I figured it out: ObamaCare is the government's way of shoring up Social (in)Security. The less people that reach retirement age the less that has to be paid out, thereby keeping it afloat!

© Emittravel 2011