sacrifice
Today is the 4th anniversary of a tragic day in american history. Like Lolly , I have dreaded the diluge of media that would cover this anniversary, as has been done at every anniversary of 9-11. While I am honored to take a moment of silence on behalf of all those who lost their lives at the hands of these horrific terrorists, I dread the rehash that comes from all the "analysts" who think they can explain exactly what we did wrong.
Friday was Stuttgart's 24 hour marathon. This is a 24 hour period of time that at least 1 person from every military unit is on the running track, racing for charity. Each lap earned a specific amount of money for charity, donated by sponsers. Each lap counted double if a person purchased a T-Shirt and wore it while walking/running. Some people competed for the Ironman/Ironwoman award... a single man or woman running for 24 hours straight. Amazing. The man who won ran 96 miles. The winning woman ran 64 miles. Amazing. Anyway, my husband was in charge of his unit participation...meaning he had to register the participants, keep track of the stats, keep track of who had the unit "baton", and show kids the DARE police car- for 24 hours plus set up and break down. He enlisted the help of his staunchest supporter: Me. I was nervous about how long I would actually last--as I had been up since 5 am getting M off to seminary, working out, doing laundry, and keeping house... and the race didn't start until noon. No time for a nap in all of that. I brought the kids with me at noon---and we all hung out. We played frisbee, watched the entertainment, ate barbque and just generally had silly down time. I asked the kids to earn at least one mile for the unit, so that we could be part of it. They totally suprised me. AJ&E did a mile without complaining... M did almost 7 miles... and L&J ended up doing 11 miles. I'm so very proud of their efforts. They were thrilled to be able to help so much. I took them home about 11pm and got them settled into bed and I returned to help A with the rest of the 24 hours. My resolve to stay away from Coke products was obliterated by about 1am... At about 3:30am-- my resolve to stay awake was tried ...but I never gave in. I paced and jumped up and down, trying to keep warm after the HUGE RAINSTORM that dumped. Thankfully we had a wonderful tent to stay out of the elements.... and I counted my blessings that I was not the one running around the track at that moment. The sun came up about 6am--- and more people came in...and I didn't have as much trouble. By the end of the race, Our unit got an award for the most participants. I feel proud that I could help out. My husband's boss showed up just before the closing ceremonies and asked if I had stayed awake all night--and when I replied that I had, he thanked me for my sacrifice and made a few jokes about when I'd get to sleep since I had so many kids etc. I assured him it was my pleasure to help out where I can, and was glad for the opportunity to help out. As he walked away, I pondered on that word he used... Sacrifice. I didn't feel it was a sacrifice, but something that needed to be done. They needed help and I was available. Oh, I was tired, and it was something out of my normal routine. But Sacrifice? Sacrifice to me is to give up your life vest to someone else who doesn't know how to swim. Sacrifice is losing your home and everything you own to Mother Nature. Sacrifice is serving your country in a war that you may or may not support . Sacrifice is taking your hard earned vacation time and going to help out survivors of the latest hurricane. Making space in your home for a displaced person is sacrifice. Giving your life to help hundreds of others, THAT'S SACRIFICE... May we remember those who sacrificed so much for us.
Friday was Stuttgart's 24 hour marathon. This is a 24 hour period of time that at least 1 person from every military unit is on the running track, racing for charity. Each lap earned a specific amount of money for charity, donated by sponsers. Each lap counted double if a person purchased a T-Shirt and wore it while walking/running. Some people competed for the Ironman/Ironwoman award... a single man or woman running for 24 hours straight. Amazing. The man who won ran 96 miles. The winning woman ran 64 miles. Amazing. Anyway, my husband was in charge of his unit participation...meaning he had to register the participants, keep track of the stats, keep track of who had the unit "baton", and show kids the DARE police car- for 24 hours plus set up and break down. He enlisted the help of his staunchest supporter: Me. I was nervous about how long I would actually last--as I had been up since 5 am getting M off to seminary, working out, doing laundry, and keeping house... and the race didn't start until noon. No time for a nap in all of that. I brought the kids with me at noon---and we all hung out. We played frisbee, watched the entertainment, ate barbque and just generally had silly down time. I asked the kids to earn at least one mile for the unit, so that we could be part of it. They totally suprised me. AJ&E did a mile without complaining... M did almost 7 miles... and L&J ended up doing 11 miles. I'm so very proud of their efforts. They were thrilled to be able to help so much. I took them home about 11pm and got them settled into bed and I returned to help A with the rest of the 24 hours. My resolve to stay away from Coke products was obliterated by about 1am... At about 3:30am-- my resolve to stay awake was tried ...but I never gave in. I paced and jumped up and down, trying to keep warm after the HUGE RAINSTORM that dumped. Thankfully we had a wonderful tent to stay out of the elements.... and I counted my blessings that I was not the one running around the track at that moment. The sun came up about 6am--- and more people came in...and I didn't have as much trouble. By the end of the race, Our unit got an award for the most participants. I feel proud that I could help out. My husband's boss showed up just before the closing ceremonies and asked if I had stayed awake all night--and when I replied that I had, he thanked me for my sacrifice and made a few jokes about when I'd get to sleep since I had so many kids etc. I assured him it was my pleasure to help out where I can, and was glad for the opportunity to help out. As he walked away, I pondered on that word he used... Sacrifice. I didn't feel it was a sacrifice, but something that needed to be done. They needed help and I was available. Oh, I was tired, and it was something out of my normal routine. But Sacrifice? Sacrifice to me is to give up your life vest to someone else who doesn't know how to swim. Sacrifice is losing your home and everything you own to Mother Nature. Sacrifice is serving your country in a war that you may or may not support . Sacrifice is taking your hard earned vacation time and going to help out survivors of the latest hurricane. Making space in your home for a displaced person is sacrifice. Giving your life to help hundreds of others, THAT'S SACRIFICE... May we remember those who sacrificed so much for us.
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