Telling Your Story
Two noteworthy events are closing in on us. They are both events dedicated to gratitude, family time, spending a little extra money, and excitement.
I'm not thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, but rather the celebrations of Veterans Day and opening day for guns during deer season! (And you were already getting angry at me for bringing up holidays way too early, weren't you?)
Let me begin with an apology to any veteran who feels slightly slighted by not dedicating an entire column to your sacrifice, effort, commitment, duty and honor. There is no intended omission or diminishment to all you have given to our country—whether your service was during war or peace, here in the good ole' USA or abroad. We love you and appreciate you wherever and whenever you served! There just aren't enough weeks on the calendar when two big events are all jammed into six days!
First, to our veterans. America humbly thanks you for raising your hand and saying, "I'll go." Whether you were called into the line of fire or whether you waited in readiness to care for our country when, where and if the need arose, we honor your service, commitment and the mission you performed on behalf of all of us. It is you who stood between home, hometown, mom, apple pie and the possibility of attack. It is you who rescued after a natural disaster at home. It is you who were on the alert, ready to engage at the drop of a hat, and do whatever service your country asked of you.
Thank you will never be enough. Thank you for leaving the ones you love and love you in return for long periods to stand ready. Thank you, because so many times, you left pieces of yourself—physical, mental and emotional pieces—in the places you served. Thank you for being an honorable human being. Thank you for serving. Yours is an experience and sacrifice most of us will never fully understand, and honestly, one most of us take for granted.
Lastly, if deer hunting is your thing, enjoy every minute of sabbatical in the woods this fall. Drink in the chill, the still, the smells and everything else the woods has to offer. Have fun preparing gear and readying your hunting spots in field and woods. Relish the time with family and friends with whom you share the fun.
This year, we've been blessed with an unexpected hunting location, giving all of us the opportunity to hunt together for at least a few days. The prospect is exciting, and even if we all come up empty, this short time when all four of us will be together, sharing an experience, and enjoying the woods is going to be fun!
And for all the guns we have in this house, I can't believe we are one rifle short! (Remember I mentioned spending extra money? Well, this is where that enters the equation!)
Veterans, we thank you!
Hunters, be blessed with safety and meat for the winter!
Bev Berens is a mom to 4-H and FFA members in Michigan. Do you have a story to share? Email her at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.