November 11 is Veterans Day. November also is National Caregivers Month. In my humble opinion, how can you talk about Veterans Day without thinking about the caregivers who make Veterans’ lives just a little easier? What you read below are the thoughts from me and my caregiver and my angel, Jan.
It sometimes breaks my heart as we sit in the lobby at the VA Hospital waiting for our next appointment. I watch my warriors wheeled in by caregivers or by using a walker or scooter, carrying oxygen, bent over by the weight of years and anxiety.
These warriors were not born old. They were once young men with cool cars and hot chicks. They, for whatever reason, became Soldiers, Sailors or Marines. They had dreams of seeing the world and protecting our freedoms. They wrote letters home to parents and got tins of homemade cookies at mail call.
They raised a little hell and came home to raise families. They salute the flag, vote in elections and many now live in a fog of blurred memories and nightmares that never end. They personify honor and define strength. To quote Winston Churchill, “Fear is a reaction, Courage is a decision.”
Now they turn to us. Thank them for their service, of course, but appreciate all of what they have sacrificed in mind, body and soul.
Yes, it breaks my heart to see them now, but I swell with pride for the living history they represent and thank God every day for their existence.
My thought for the month is that sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that happened to them, give a compliment or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month or this year recognize people who make a difference in your life.
