My Father and the Navy

27 Tuesday May 2014

I’m one of the lucky ones . . my father came home to my mom after his tour in the Navy during the Korean War, and a few years later began his family with her. He was Navy through and through, a sailor who got to travel the world, experience life onboard a submarine, a carrier and in numerous ports of call. He learned much more about being an engineer beyond his classes at the university. I know he also grew up with discipline, which helped to make him the dedicated father and husband who always provided for his family and gave us his best. I got to know him into my 20’s, when he passed suddenly . . but he is my direct connection to what is good about this country and our military.

I truly marvel in the more adult years since at those who mock our military members, those who believe America is a bad place or those who think we don’t have any good in us. I know better . . for I have met others like my dad – too many to count. I imagine many of those who were either drafted or enlisted as kids usually, and died in service to this nation, were also a lot like my dad – dedicated defenders of what we stand for as a nation. And I am not going to ever let a day go by when I don’t hold my country, our flag and our people up as one of pride for their sake!

Those who gave it all deserve the best from each of us in return, or their sacrifice means nothing. If we don’t hold on fast to the foundational principles which made us the bastion of freedom for the world, then they all died in vain. The United States of America stands together for freedom to this very day . . because of all of those who have fought and even died for that right. Please don’t ever let your heart as an American beat anything but red, white and blue . . for their sake as well as for all of those who now go off in service to this country. Be defenders of liberty just like they all were. It’s just as much our role as citizens as it was and is theirs. Freedom is the result of great burdens and infinite, unbearable costs . . but thank God, there are men and women who’ll take their turns nonetheless on the front lines defending it. We all should have that same love and devotion for this country in our hearts back home – as the freedom she provides is worth at least that level of gratitude in return!

Unexpected "Weed" Blessings

07 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Cheryl Ries in Change, Surprise

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Every time some unexpected “weed” sprouts up anyplace in my yard, I leave it until I can evaluate what it is. I have learned that nature often rewards me in unexpected ways via the birds carrying seed or perhaps thanks to the wind, but no matter how, I might find a delight bursting forth which was unplanned yet welcome.

That is life in general, a sequence of the unplanned which interrupts the planned, which causes us to constantly evaluate our course, our situation, our surroundings and our reactions. We have to accept the unexpected with that which we dutifully plan as that is the essence of life – it is about the unexpected twists and turns which cause us to alter and to shift in much the same ways as water fluidly moves.

Some of the best blessings in life are unplanned! Some of my favorite gifts in the garden have been those unintentional ones too: the Bottle tree, the Chinese Elm, the Dahlberg daisies strewn about, the occasional wildflower, the Creosote bush, the numerous Mexican Evening Primrose, the Palm seedlings, the Saguaro and some other cacti, the Mexican Birds of Paradise, a Desert Willow, a pine tree and some Justicia plants nearby the parent. The list is endless . . for the nature of all of life is to be fruitful and multiply.

All organic matter in the garden wants to live, to persist and to multiply, so I take watch of those things which sprout freely in my yard, counting them as blessings I get to have for free! A gardener is conditioned to expect the unexpected in the process of gardening, as all of life is uncontrollable and sporadic by nature! Learn to appreciate those things which are unexpected in life and to not resent the surprise in them, for often times they hold just as much benefit as do those things in which we endeavor to make happen through our planning and careful steps. Life is most definitely a journey into the unexpected, so we should be prepared to face it at every turn!

Perfect Peace

07 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Cheryl Ries in Peace

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Perfect peace . . I cannot define that for you, but for me, it would be a moment in the early morning hours, before the sun fully arises, spent listening to the sounds of nature. It isn’t quiet, it isn’t still, but there is a peace within all the busy-ness of nature which soothes and relaxes me. I don’t find that as easily within the busy-ness of humanity – tires screeching, engines racing, people chattering, horns and bells and whistles and phones ringing! All of that belies soothing, peaceful, contentment. I find it so easily in nature though. In countless birds singing “Good morning, world!” in whatever tone and manner suits them. It’s evident in the morning fly-over of the geese honking on their way to another landing spot. I hear it in the silent stillness of the air not yet rancorous with air or ground traffic noises. It clearly sounds like the water continuously spilling over itself in the fountain, just to turn right around to do it all over again and again. It is in the peacefulness of this relative nothingness in which I gladly surrender again today, as to find such silence in the earliest hours of the day is my true special pleasure. It is rarely found ever again later in the day. In these moments, there is an ease of prayer, of praise, of being grateful and in being hopeful as well. All is right with my world starting my day in such perfect peace. I breathe in the fresh morning air, breathing out, “ahhhhh” and Amen! I encourage you all to find such a moment throughout your day whereby you can regularly find your perfect peace, or make one!

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Monthly Archives: May 2014

My Father and the Navy

Unexpected "Weed" Blessings

Perfect Peace