"There would be such wonderful things to do."

 Do you have a special place? I'm thinking about a certain kind of geographical spot, that brings you good memories or warm feelings. Some place, from long ago that was and will always be, "your" place.

When I need some extra happy memories, my mind always goes back to the neighborhood park, of my childhood. When I was a kid, this place was magical. It had a couple of immensely tall metal "slippperyslides" and a round disk ride that more often than not, flung little riders, off into the distant grass! There were swings, too. Several different sizes, all with heavy wood seats. No seat belts, safety harnesses or guard rails for my generation.

My childhood park featured a small lake, that was once used to water mules that transported dirt and coal, for the coal mines in the area. When the land around it became a city park, the lake was used for fishing, in the warm months, and ice skating, in the winter.

As a kid, I recall visiting the park at least a couple of times a week. In the summer we rode our bikes to the park, and usually stayed there until we got hungry or it started to get dark. Nobody, ever had their parents drive them to the lake. You would almost always run into some kids you knew, already playing on the equipment, skating or fishing. It was a kids' place. We hung out at the park.

The worst thing that ever happened at the park, was a broken arm or two. I fell off of the tallest side, once, and lived to tell about it. Sometimes a kid would fall or jump in the lake. Usually, that ended in a spanking, for getting your clothes wet!

Now, through luck or fate, I have a similar small lake, in my backyard. It's a beautiful place to sit, to walk around and to just enjoy the outdoors. I love it.

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Dear God. Life involves a lot of ups and downs and twists and turns. Sometimes, we come right back to where we started. And that's just fine.You are our Constant.

"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row."

 Because, I regularly volunteer, at the only nationally recognized World War I Museum and Memorial, Veterans Day holds a very special place in my heart. I volunteer at this particular facility because I have always harbored a genuine love of history and family. My grandfather and his two younger brothers, were all veterans of WWI. They were the Wintle Boys of Pittsburg, Kansas. Tom, Harry and Walter. Veterans Day was first celebrated as the day that their war, WWI, ended. It was first called Armistice Day....11/11. The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day.

Then, as time passed and the "War to End All Wars" wasn't, we chose to set aside a day to honor all veterans, "Veterans Day".

The veterans of WWII are all but gone, now. My father-in-law, Stillwater Bill Kincaid, served in the Pacific Theater, of that war. John Cresap, my father Michael Keller, and others like Red Hines, Joe Tognascioli, Bill and Kay Scully, Bernice Williams and the three Stewart brothers of Mulberry, Kansas. All gone now, and all were veterans of WWII. One Stewart brother, Raymond, lost his life on the beach at Normandy, and my father's best friend, Jimmy McCarrens, lost his life on the battleship, Arizona.

Then, along came Korea. My friend Joe Carter is a veteran of that war. My childhood friends and classmates fought in the Vietnamese Conflict, and then came the Gulf Wars.  It seems the United States has always been involved in some type of conflict. Unfortunately, the Great War (1914-1918), was not the "War to End All Wars". 

But, veterans, from all eras, should be honored and celebrated. Don't ever forget those who fought and fight currently, for our right to live and thrive, in this nation. Don't forget to honor Veterans.

 In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

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Lord, we are people, who should remember. We should remember and not repeat our mistakes. Remind us to listen and learn. Wisdom is so hard to acquire. We ask guidance, through Your Holy Name.

Love Always Wins

First of all, let me affirm that I am an American. I voted. I believe all people have value and that my beliefs are personal. 

For the last few months, I have read unpleasant comments and posts from many folks that I admire and love. The words these folks have written, have been extremely judgemental......mean and hurtful. From them, I've learned that half of the people in this country will "never again be respected". They've been called every vile name imaginable. The other half of the electorate, has been just as vocal, and their predictions have been dire.  Garbage has been thrown, by both sides.

Readers.....written words cannot be taken back. You just can't write something nasty and then say "I misspoke". Life doesn't work that way. Words hurt.

This election will have consequences. Let's hope for the best for our country! I'm concerned because I am now reading a lot of "na na na na nas------I'm going to be hoping for the worst!" Truthfully, that attitude is not going to help anyone in this country, or the world. It's time we all came together. Life is way too short, to harbor such a grudge.

I, for one, am going to try to forget what I have read, from both sides. We Baby Boomers have preached and preached about "no name calling", using your "positive words", and not be hateful. Just,"Let it Go", and try to become the best human beings we can be.

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Dear Lord, we need You. You are the only One in charge and it's time we begin to realize it. You are our Constant. Guide us.