Searching, living for tomarrow...

People seem to look more towards tonight, tomorrow.

I do this at times.

Next week.

Next year.

Trying to get through or get past. Enduring each day, hoping tomorrow will be better. Wanting to see the future. People pay millions to see what there future holds. Oftentimes seeking these answers from complete strangers. What is in store for me?

Either we live in the past with our accumulated issues. Or we live in the future hoping things will improve or become how we think it should be. How it should be. Because at this time things just aren’t right. This is not how things should be.
Should, could be. Will be if I just wait longer.

Seeking to accumulate wealth, material possession’s people in their lives. People accumulate friends like "myspace" buddies. Collecting and counting. Friends collected like coins in a jar. To pull out when we want to impress. See how many friends I have? As if they can tell me that I belong or that I am worthy.

Who has time for thousands of friends?
Who has the consideration and patience to be a true friend to them all?
Why do we look for relationships with strangers when our community is right outside our doors?

It works because the illusion is, the Internet is free space. I don’t have to be myself; I don’t even have to be truthful about who I am or what I do. The facade people create on the internet. Is a reflection of the facades created in real life. Pretence and illusion. Rather then reality and fact.

Often we are so busy accumulating or planning and plotting the future that we don’t see what we have right now.
Right now.
What do I have?

As I am working on my comp, acknowledging the praise of my internet pals, my child sits watching t.v.
"Don’t bother me now daughter or son, I am talking to my friends."

There is nothing wrong with the internet. Just don’t allow it to become my entire existence. Try not to create some false world, rather then accept the reality of my existence now.

Or my parents are wondering how I am. Why haven’t I called? My sister as well. My friends, wondering why I can’t go out.
I am wasting precious time.
Wasting time.

Each day is the opportunity to count our blessings. Look around and see all that I have. Right now, is all that matters. Because tomorrow may never come. We are not guaranteed we will be here tomorrow. I am not guaranteed I will be here an hour from now.

Would I want things left unsaid?
Could I leave, knowing everyone in my life. Every true friend, every family member, every co-worker. Knows how I feel about them. That I am grateful for them. That I count them as blessings. That I cherish them? Look around and cherish, embrace what I have right now. Keep my loved ones close, and tell them often how much they mean to me.

Fix the problems, deal with the situations.

Never allow things to wallow or languish.

Accept what I have right now. Cherish it.

Embrace each day, as if it were my last. Accept all I have now and stop looking for more, or to get over that hill. People mistakenly think life is about endurance. Life is about accumulating or wealth. When really I think life is about love. The love we have, through friendships and family. Because tonight or tomarrow may never come.

God Bless~~

Army Captain Shane Mahaffee

Photo from the Daily Herald.

This past weekend R and I embarked upon a new mission. Usually our missions are based on cookies, laughter and smiles. Care packages, letter writing, and cookie drops. Letting our Armed Forces know we care and appreciate there diligence and sacrifice. Whether or not people realize it. They are serving our beautifull country. Let’s thank them!!!


This was her second mission, my first. I had joined Patriot Guard Riders a while ago. When I decided on going to this one, a gracious PGR member gave me some tips;


* Drive carefully because your mind will be elsewhere.
* Don’t be afraid to cry. Don’t be afraid to get emotional, you will.


"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” Timothy 2

Once again, a complete stranger alters my life. It seems to have become the theme of my daily life. I meet so many people without physically shaking there hands. Without meeting in the same room, they indelibly touch my life. Our SPC, adopteds, and “people I should know.”

After driving an hour. {It was supposed to take me 30 minutes to get to the church.} I finally pulled into the parking lot through the back-way because I had missed the first turn. I saw the motorcycles parked. Feeling greatfull I headed for them. As I turned the corner I saw the police lights. The hearse was pulling into the church parking lot heading my way. I pulled my car aside. As it drove past I thought, “this is real.” He is really in there. Why I thought that I cannot say. My eyes teared up, softly I said; “welcome home.”

People are so considerate. I walked up to the PGR, asked for Scoot. What a sweetheart!!! I think there is too much hype about PGR being bikers. Bikers are people too. I have met many in my life that are kinder and gentler then some circuit court judge, or some movie star. They have a loyalty and dignity about them at times that can rival any other group.

There was a part of me, possibly any person that wonders if I/they should be there. Should I go to this wake and funeral? I would never want to intrude on this family’s grief. Never want to infringe on this time for them to say goodbye to there loved one. Yet the Patriot Guard, makes it all-right. All-right? Makes it possible to do this in a respectfull manner.I have always wanted to do this. Reads wrong I know. But I always wanted to be there and let these families know I care their loved one made the ultimate sacrifice so that I could be safe. For our beautifull and glorious country. For our children to have a better world. I see the implications and the benefits of our Armed Forces endeavers overseas. I was one of those that only saw the negative side of this war. Now I am an Armed Forces supporter. Military families are the backbone of our military. I admire them and see them as heroes as well. Keeping the home fires burning, while there loved ones are away long periods of time. God Bless them!!

Being respectfull to this family is the Patriot Guard Riders way. I was touched at the lengths they go to accomplish this. Don’t talk to the families, don’t approach them. We stand silently or talking quietly. Holding the flag. Each one in his or her own thoughts. I thought a lot about my guys and girls overseas.

Matthew and his letter about the 16 mile jog his platoon went on through the desert terrain. If there are sheep in an area, then that’s a sign there probably aren’t IED’s.

The Lt whose wife is having a baby in august, and how he is hoping to be there for the birth of His first child. They patrol baghdad everyday and yes it’s a green zone? But still a hotbed for terrorists.The sacrifices our Armed Forces make. There endurance in any given situation.

My adopted soldier, in our first phone conversation last december told me it’s the Soldiers; Army Captain Shane Mahaffee that is the true Hero.

I thought about this Soldier. His willingness to go directly into harms way. He was a Lawyer. Could have stayed home.

Quote from Daily Herald written by Tony Gordon;"Shipped to Fort Jackson, S.C., to begin training, Mahaffee became friends with a group of 11 other officers with similar assignments who nicknamed themselves "The Dirty Dozen."

One of that group, Capt. Matt Lawton of Washington, D.C., served in the same unit in Iraq with Mahaffee, and was in the convoy with him when Mahaffee was wounded.

Mahaffee was in the first vehicle of the convoy when it was struck by a roadside bomb.
"Even after he was wounded, he attempted to walk out of the vehicle and he had raised his weapon against the enemy," Lawton said. "He was talking about setting up a security perimeter when one of the enlisted men had to tell him to lie down so he could treat him."

Mahaffee was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his service in Iraq, which lasted just 25 days."End quote

I also said the rosary, our father. Thought about my family and how much I love them. Sometimes didn’t think at all, just looked out on the horizon. Glancing at the guys that were military to see how they stood. These guys know the best way to stand, because some of them do it often, or have done it often. One military man had just returned from Afghanistan on Thursday. Made the drive down to participate in this. That is awesome!!! I was honored to stand by him. Truly it is an honor to stand by each of these patriotic and caring individuals!!!


PGR is invited by the family to attend. When Captain Shane Mahaffee’s parents walked down the line shaking each of our hands. I became teary eyed. It is touching that they would. My heart went out to them. How gracious of them to take the time to thank me, and I thanked them. For allowing me to be there. For there sacrifice. God Bless them and Shane!!!


People stopped and thanked us. Many just nodded. The flags never wavering. Never touching the ground. What a majestic sight it is from the distance!!! The flag. She? Is a winsome one, at times difficult to manage. She waves at her own accord. Yet she will always wave. When our country falters, when people doubt, no matter what the flag will continue on...

Just like our Armed Forces. These brave men and woman, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our beautifull, glorious country!

God Bless Captain Shane Mahaffee and His family!!!

This is just the first installment of this sorrowfull and heart touching experience. I find each day, I am still thinking about it. Looking at the pictures. My eyes well up and I am greatfull to have been able to be there. I can’t get back to where I was before this began. Perhaps that is for the best.

God Bless~~

Protest or gently let them know????

Recently my daughter and I went to the local jewel/grocery store. Flags are on sale. So I bought a few.

One for the car, one for the balcony, some to just wave around. We need a 3 by 5 for the wake/funeral we are going to attend, and memorial day. Also Flag day is coming up.

As we unfolded them the sticker clearly said;"Made in China"

Okay? What the heck is this? Aren't there American companies that make our flag? Shouldn't stores here sell the flag made by americans not another country?

I am going to google american flag companies and give them the list.

What do you think?

Mardi Gras!!!

It was a Mardi Gras celebration at work today!!!

I was talking to a co-worker that is in New Orleans about a month ago. Business of course. When we got on the subject of the devistation there. I asked him some questions. It seems alot of people there say the same thing; "It's worse then what you see on t.v." Some of my co-workers lost there homes. We had a collection at christmas and before. We have three warehouses out there and offices.

Somehow we got on the subject of my volunteer work with SA.
He said he had "a few" mardi gras beads left over. Could I use them to send to the troops?
Sure!!

He called me early this week and said, "I am sending you the beads."

Today our mail guy brings me this huge box!! So huge he had trouble taking it off the cart. Hm? Opening it up, it was full of bags of mardi gras stuff. Cups, noise-makers, frisbees. Stuffed animals. Plus a ton of beads!! All kinds!!!

My co-workers had a great time picking some out. I actually called him so he could hear them choosing some beads. One girl took some for her kids; Children that had survived cancer. She hesitated, and I told her take as many as you like!!

There are still a ton left!!!

I was planning on sending some packages out to my Soldiers. The bags are Mardi Gras bags, so I can send them in those. This way maybe they can have a little celebration for themselves!!!

People are so very cool!! Here M is living in an area, still devistated by a natural disastor and can think of someone else, far away. People like supporting the Troops!!

God Bless!!

Cooling Scarfs

Soldiers Angels is taking up donations for Cooling Scarfs.

Cooling scarfs;
"The cooling scarf is a great way to beat the heat. The "magic" in these cooling scarves comes from hundreds of tiny hidden non-toxic polymer crystals that hold many times their weight in water. By soaking your cooling scarf in cool water for 15 minutes, these crystals become "energized" and become a comfortable, portable evaporative cooler that can lower body temperature by several degrees! So, not only will you FEEL cooler, you will actually BE cooler!"

Baghdad temp is 93 degrees today.

Kabul, Afghanistan is in the 70's moving up to the 80's by the weekend.

Imagine wearing 30 pnds or more of gear. Protective gear. Helmuts. Sand flies. Walking for hours. Working in that heat. Many of our troops are rebuilding areas, working on repairing roads.

Dehydration is a result, heatstroke as well.

To make a donation;
Simply click on the Make a donation button upper left corner of SA website.
Put in the comments section "Operation Cool Hero."

Checks and money orders can also be sent directly to SA.
In the memo section put "Operation Cool Hero."

Soldiers’ Angels
1150 North Loop 1604 West
Suite 108-493
San Antonio, TX 78248

Lets let these Heros know we care!!

God Bless Our Troops!!

Embarking on a new form of Support

I recently had the honor and privilage of signing up to Soldiers Angels Chaplain Support Team.

It is an incredible way to support our troops!! Whether it be jewish, musilm, or christian. No religion is left behind or forgotten. No Soldier is...

Our beliefs are an intricate aspect of our lives.
As a catholic I take it seriously. Just as I know many others of faith do.

Chaplains reach out to all soldiers. Even those that do not profess any faith. Will still benefit from this. What an excellent opportunity!!

Tentatively I have reached out to people in my workplace and people I know for donations.
Here is the list of items requested.

T-shirts
Underwear
Socks
Deodorant
Mouth-wash
Lotion
Soap
Sun-Block/ bug repellant
Refurbished Laptops
Cameras
Tooth-Paste
Tooth brush
Foot/Shower Powder
Sporting Goods
Powdered Gatorade
Cooling scarfs
Water jugs or bottles
Thank You cards-written "Dear friend, thank you for all you do!"
Cards/ blank birthday cards or blank cards for them to write people with.
Stationairy
Female items; hair products, hair ties, etc.
Pictures of outdoors scenes. {Soldiers enjoy pictures of lakes, fields, forests, etc. Scenic pictures.}
Religoius music Cd's
Religious Items-crosses, jewish items, muslim items.
Religious books
MP3 players

The Chaplain and His Assistant have 950 Soldiers they care for. If someone reading is interested in donating. Please email me at;
saoirse_sa@yahoo.com

I cannot give out names and addys. Anything would have to be sent to me. We do give tax receipts if someone needs one.

God Bless!!

Why care?

We had a bit of a scare recently. I had taken on an e-pal through Soldiers Angels. At first when we started emailing back and forth he seemed a bit unsteady. I had not realised nor had he told me that he had just arrived overseas less then a month before I started writing to him. His first time over there. Of course he would be unsettled. Getting used to things in Iraq. Mortars taking out the showers can be a lot to deal with. Especially if you had been planning on taking one.

It was christmas time, and I had run out of money. So I asked a friend, fellow Angel if she could send him something. A package. I seriously dislike the idea of any Soldier going without a card or something for Christmas. She said fine, and started emailing him as well. Her whole family does. Unlike myself she has internet at home. So her entire family kind of took on this young married man with kids. I still write and send things. For his birthday we double teamed him.

Last week she came to me and said, she hadn’t heard from him in over three weeks. I also hadn’t received a response. But because of not being well, etc. I hadn’t been able to check my email much. This is unusual for him. Very unusual. He writes often and stays in touch. I told her I would check the lists. Wounded, etc. Try not to worry I am sure he just got bogged down with work over there.

My first thought after talking to her and while I was checking the lists, was that I wondered if it was a good idea to have given her his name. For myself, the idea they would be wounded or mortally wounded came and went. Myself and my daughter benefit a great deal from our interaction, with our adopteds and unofficials. It has really been a positive experience. If something were to happen? That shouldn’t stop us from supporting them, or caring. If one soldier knows that people care I have accomplished my purpose.

My friend said someone told her something similar. "You shouldn’t get involved with them. What if something happens? Why would you want to care about someone who is obviously in harms way? You’re setting yourself up for a world of hurt." Especially since these people are strangers and we have never met, may never meet. Why would anyone do that for a complete stranger? Care.

It angers me when people try to say that. Number one, I love the idea of sending complete strangers gifts. Call me goofy. But I think it is very cool. As well, it is because they are in harms way that we are here supporting them. They are in harms way for us. To keep us safe, to fight the battle over there rather then here. They willingly dedicate years of their lives fighting to uphold the freedoms we take for granted.

It is not the time spent, it is what we do with this time here now. My friend will always know she had an incredible effect on this young man. Her support has really helped him to balance out. To help the time fly. The really cool thing about that is her daughter and this soldier share the same birthday. Very cool!!

Our Dirt Sailor in his last letter wrote;
"You will never know how much your caring has meant to us over here."

Even people I don’t send things too benefit, because the ones I do always share with their friends. Plus it’s not just the sending of things. A card or letter can reach a soldier right when they needed something to pull them up, or make them smile. Really it’s the idea of smiles over there and laughter. Really makes us feel good. Another "mission accomplished!!"

So if someone reading this is thinking of joining. Join. Support these brave men and woman!!! You may never hear from them. I haven’t heard from 70 percent of the people I write too etc. But, it’s all right. Receiving isn’t the point. It’s caring and sharing. That matters.

Our Spc is allright. Their internet was fading in and out for a while. He is back on track with writing. He is a blessing to us all!!!

God Bless Our Troops!!

My 5th trip to the Doctor

Well, perhaps 5 times is the charm.

I went to the doctor again yesterday, it is now three weeks of being sick. Strep throat, ear infection, sinus infection. They rotate.

At least the hives are gone. When I had the first illness; Strep throat, I broke out in hives possibly from taking tylenol flu. My doctor says it happens often, because there are so many medicines in that, the combination can cause that type of reaction. A week of hives. The week before Easter Vigil, when I was supposed to be confirmed. By thursday my face was so swollen!!

My presriptions this time;
25.59
40.00

The one for 25.59 was for four pills. Yes!!! 25.59 for four pills!! that is over 5$ a pill. Thank God I have insurance!

The bills for this have superceeded 500$ Also time lost from work almost two weeks.
I am so behind here at work, I will possibly never get caught up. Last week I worked over ten hours over-time.

The thing that angers me most? That this all began with one person here at work. Had Strep. Passed it around to about 15 other people.

Yep!! The trick of it is?

This very same person can work from home.

Yet rather then keeping her germ infested ass at home to work. The privilage of working from home means you don't have to leave your house to work!! Don't go into the office. Sit at home wearing your flannels! You don't even have to wash your face!!
Nope! She decides to come in!!

Last week, (the fourth week of this} as I was finishing the last round of medications she came in. Thursday.

Her conversational topics went like this;"I feel so terrible I have Strep again!! I don't even want to go out and smoke my throat hurts so badly!! I feel terrible!!"Hack, hack, cough, cough!!!!

WTF?

What can we do? Nothing, she is the best friend of our high up boss. So here we are spraying lysol left and right. Cleaning our desks, etc. Financially broken, who expects such medical costs within a three week time? While she, all along could have stayed home. It's not a virus its a bacterial thing. Thus harder to cure.

Hints for those who work in an office;
1) Wash your damn hands in the bathroom!! (she doesn't}
2) Don't use the same water bottle, if you are sick. As a matter of fact, you shouldn't use the same water bottle without washing it, for over a few days at a time. Stop being cheap and buy another one.
3) If you have a fever, stay home.
4) If you have an infectious disease, stay home.


You might be able to afford the cost, but not everyone else can.

Some people here even ended up in the hospital.How would you feel if someone died because they caught something from you? Terrible....

God Bless us and keep us all safe!!

Patriot Defenders Network

Thanks to A Soldiers Persepective for letting me know about this group.

Patriot Defenders Network

A group of 16 to 19 year old students rallying together to Support our Troops!!
Excellent!!

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1729-1797