Memorial Day

I hope you're having a nice weekend.  As expected, we've spent the majority of ours at the pool.  Caroline and friends have been swimming, building tents with beach towels and pool chairs and scarfing down copious amounts of  snacks during break time; I've been reading and running my mouth. 

It's what I do best of all.

My marketable skills are limited, but my ability to shoot the breeze is at an all time high.

With the temperatures threatening to rise into the high 90s today, I assume day three of our three day weekend shall be spent at the pool once, as well.

If it wasn't supposed to be so hot, it would be nice to go into DC for their Memorial Day festivities and parade.  Alas, sweating profusely in a swarm of people isn't the slightest bit enjoyable.  Racing aside, of course.

The good thing about living near Washington DC is that we can visit the war memorial sites any time of year to pay our respects to the fallen.

With Craig's deployment imminent, I'm feeling a bit touchy about this subject this morning.   Last night we spoke on the phone, which isn't a regular occurrence because to me, email > talking on the phone, but as it were, I was reminded that his time here on US soil is limited.  Usually it's all okay, but sometimes I reminded of the gravity of the situation.  Our conversation wasn't deep or anything.   I poked fun at his jeans (long story!) and we discussed his ever changing post deployment plans and money and logistics and I complained about my horrible lot in life (!) but looming in the background, I knew that Craig is gearing up for what will no doubt be a very long, very hard year.

In an email yesterday, before we spoke on the phone, I was telling him about something undoubtedly tragic happening in my life, but I was quick to say that even though my life, and all the trials and tribulations of not having (and not needing) a job and spending two hours at the gym every day and being able to buy $50 garbage cans and new TV stands on a whim, is treacherous and tragic at times, he wins the 'my life sucks' award.

He's okay with it, though.  As he said, he's learned to 'embrace the suck.'

So have I, Craig.  So have I.

Kidding.

Sacrifice is a strange thing.  I mean, we all sacrifice in some way or another, usually because we HAVE to.  Not necessarily because we WANT to.   Moms sacrifice a lot. Especially me! We sacrifice our time, our sleep and our sanity to rear our kids.  Moms worry obsessively, chaperone noisy field trips and let their cover hogging children sleep in their beds.  Moms even make their 9 year old children grilled cheese sandwiches with the crusts cut off for breakfast (!) when it's requested.  Even though said child could pour herself a bowl of cereal in 10 seconds, flat.

But to willingly sacrifice your body for your country? 

To sacrifice your life so your fellow man can live safely and freely is more awesome and more powerful than I can even begin to comprehend.

Definitely more powerful than a grilled cheese sandwich with the crusts cut off.