“Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely … I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the eve of D-Day
Often History Can Bring Life into Focus
Recently, several events in history were brought to the forefront. One of which was D-Day. On June 6, 1944 150,000 soldiers took part in what was one of the biggest amphibious military operations in history. The soldiers were from the US, Canada and the UK. It was a bloody and violent day for those who invaded. I can’t imagine being a mother, in want of information for my loved ones who are across a vast ocean fighting an enemy for the world. There were thousands of casualties on that day. In total, the Allied Forces lost 9,000 personnel. Many of the last surviving veterans traveled back on that historic beach in Normandy and Wept in Remembrance this last week. I am not sure I could ever be that brave.
Life is Much Like a Dirty Pile of Dishes, You Gotta Wash Them.
Life has been, well. A lot recently. Health issues seem to be making their way through my family at a rough neck pace. As a mom, wife and hausfrau… well, there are times it get to be too much. I used to look in the mirror and say in the words of my favorite friend’s who has left this world… “Get in the mood, honey.” Yesterday I found that I had not indeed gotten in the mood.
How Often Do We Keep Going Without Really Stopping?
How often do we pile thing on upon thing in our lives? We let the world pile its trials and tribulations upon us with a side of whipped cream on the top. That’s what happened to me. I let the world take the first course, second course, the mocktail after and dessert. All of this mess piled up on top of one another and the tears came en masse.
Life Can Become a Very Ugly Cry
Weeping? You bet. A little gnashing? You got that right. I had one of those ugly cries that can only be described as a hot mess. Today I did not feel much better. My pastor was a listening ear, and a long friend listened as well. I did take some much needed time to reflect and pray. As a musician, I often look for new sources of inspiration to spur new and creative ideas to craft my next musing.
John Williams’ Music was the Calm in the Storm
As I was reading, I came upon the veritable master of music, the one, the only, John Williams. If you are not familiar with him, he wrote the theme from the Star Wars movies. He wrote E.T. He wrote Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones. You name it, this man has put it to music. Even Harry Potter. I wish I could dip into the cool waters of his talent, if only for a moment.
Saving Private Ryan Got My Attention
What I did not know? He wrote the theme from Saving Private Ryan. As I was perusing his list of works, I was taken a bit by surprise. He wrote that? As I let the waves of the music wash over me, I remembered that we just celebrated the 80th anniversary of the landing on Normandy Beach. Do you know the average age of each young person? 22. Our twin boys are serving in the US military and are the ripe young age of 22. Can you imagine? Staring death in the face, yet racing to a bigger cause? You pin a note to your lapel in hopes that your loved ones will read your final words. A good point of reference to see into the minds of those brave ones that day is a series called, Band of Brothers.
Often it Takes a Moment to Find Clarity
As the video and piece of music continued to play, I saw a mama fall to her feet with her 4 blue star flag waving in the background. What does the blue star flag mean? It means you have dear ones serving in the US military. She had lost 3 of her 4 blue stars. The grief was palpable through the screen.
The Five Blue Star Flag Flies on our Porch
On our front porch, we have a 5 blue star flag that waves day by day. It tells the world that we have flesh and blood in the service. As the song continued to play on, the comments section began to scroll by. Several comments caught my attention. One was from a Vietnam vet, he said, “I lost 2 legs in battle. I came home to people who hated me for the war that was unpopular, but I would sit my brothers in battle once again. They were the true heroes. They gave their lives even though they were hated.” The comments began to continue on, a World War II D-Day survivor commented, “I am often called a hero. I stop them and say, ‘While I thank you for the compliment, I am no hero. I am here to talk about the true heroes, the ones that died on that day of days so that I can be free.'” All of the sudden, my bubble burst, though there are problems swirling around, there is often perspective to be had. It was a “Count Your Many Blessings” moment. The words of the hymn rung in my ears. “When upon life billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count Your Many Blessings Name them One by One. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Often in life, it is easy to lapse into an attitude of ingratitude. Is it not? Rather than forget to clean the dishes of your mind, the dust off your soul and mop your spirit clean. We let it fester.
I Got in the Mood
At that very moment, I got in the mood. Do I ignore life? No. Do I take a moment and put things into perspective? Absolutely. God Bless You dear ones for your sacrifices then and now. Thank you dear lion hearted soldiers for all that you did both during WWII and Vietnam. May your memory be a blessing. May John Williams music continue to offer solace and may we see the blessings that are right in front of us. Get in the mood, honey. God rest your soul, dear friend. Your laugh, your spirit will help me to put on my heels, coiffure my hair and indeed, get in the mood. Her other words? “Keep the soul cleaned up honey, only you can.” Amen sister.
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