Tammi's World

Hands on Opportunity

I'm having the hardest time telling people why Thursday was so very special to me. Why it was so important. Words just fail me. Completely. I find myself stuttering and pausing, because I just can't express myself.

And I can't speak for everyone. Only for what it meant to me personally.

You see, I've been a life long supporter of our Military. But I also know I just don't have what it takes to do the job. So.....I do what I can.

Someone asked me the other day how I know so much about what's going on right now. I asked them how they COULDN'T know. If you say you support our Military, how can you NOT know what is going on around them? When 9/11 happened, when those bastards came to OUR house and attacked, we went to war. At that point you choose. You're either in or your out. I was in. 100%. It was whatever needed to be done to support those men and women putting EVERYTHING on the line for our freedom. Our safety.

But I've been frustrated. There wasn't much I felt I could do to make a difference. Oh, the blog has helped. I've helped to raise money, I've spread the word. But nothin' that I could DO. My talents are limited. Seriously. I don't sew. I don't craft. I have to work, so I can't take much time off. I wasn't able to find a way to DO anything that said Thank You. That showed how much I appreciate what is being done for me.

Until Thursday.

I had the opportunity to spend time with some children of the heroes of this nation. I was able to give those children a few hours of laughter and joy and self expression. And I saw it in the parents' eyes. They got it. They appreciated the fact that we truly cared about their babies. About their families. About them.

And I helped to create memories. Memories that will be there in the dark night or when times get rough.

There was a Daddy with his three princesses. Adorable. Each girl made her frame just as special as she was. When they were done Daddy admired each one and said "They're perfect". I can take them with me next month." One of the ladies in the booth didn't understand. He simple said, matter of fact "It's my turn to rotate."

He's going into harms way, and he'll be taking frames that his daughters' made for him on a day they got to spend together.

And I got to help make that happen.

Finally, I got to do SOMETHING. Finally I got to say THANK YOU. I got to say it face to face.

I've still so much I'm trying to put down, but words are just failing me right now. Instead, I'll share what has to be my favorite picture from that day.

When you first look at it, you see a sweet boy showing us his creation. To the right is his proud Mama. That's very special.

But look closer. To the left is a Daddy with his son. An embrace and a whisper. Behind? Another Daddy with his boy. The picture is full of special moments. Smiles. Pride.

It's a picture that shows just a smidgen of what I saw that day.....

Posted by Tammi at April 28, 2007 06:36 AM | TrackBack