Hero’s and Pillars of Strength

“I only did what anyone else would have done.”

“I just did what needed to be done”

“I was only doing my job”
These are sayings you hear from hero’s and people of great strength. These people amaze me, maybe they pulled someone from a burning building. They could have saved a life, or faced a tragidy head on, endured pain and heartache like nothing anyone should ever have to endure. It doesn’t matter what it was they are talking about, they do not see the strength and bravery in their actions. The sincere modesty about their actions make them that much more admirable and amazing to me. 

I am fortunate enough to know a few of these special people. One of which I love deeply, she gives me strength everyday and she is unaware of it. 

Defining Music

Music can at times define a person’s being. It’s funny how sometimes strangers can put into words what I cannot. How it can almost seem as though the person who wrote them has lived your life, shared in your heartache, and your joy. Like they have felt your tears on their cheeks, and know the struggles you’ve had. Below you will find two songs I identify very closely with. Two melodies that while they may not be popular in the main stream.. Are songs that ring in my ears and echo in my head daily.

Frank Turner – Tell Tale Signs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmgfDWfOd4

The Spill Canvas – Self Conclusion
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AzU1tIXzsp8

Veteran’s Day

To my American Followers… Tomorrow we as a country pay homage to what many consider to the be our nations greatest heroes. I would have to disagree.. (don’t flame yet read on first.) Let me start off by saying I am a US ARMY Infantry veteran, so I understand the sacrifices made by other men and women in the Armed Services. They are willing to leave behind those they love and the comforts of home. To take the battle to the enemy and keep the war from our homes, in order to protect our people and our way of life. They travel thousands of miles to countries many of them have no personal ties to and defend people they do not know in a culture they often don’t understand. All of this is done in the name of freedom. They say the soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives so that others may live. I will take nothing away from their actions and their bravery in the face of danger.

I say instead those that make the biggest sacrifice are the loved ones left behind. The ones who do not know what is going on where the person they love is. The ones who know only what the news tells them and what little is revealed in the long awaited letters from the front. The ones who carry on in the absence of the soldier, the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. The ones who support them when they are home, support them more when they are gone, and love them always.

Dying is easy, but living with the hole left behind in your heart, in your soul, in your life when a loved one dies, that is true heartache. The soldier may sacrifice their life, but those that love the soldier sacrifice something they love more than themselves. They are sacrificing what may be the most important thing in their world.

So I ask you while you are thanking a Veteran.. please take the time to remember and thank those that have supported and loved us. Those that made us who we are, the ones that lifted us up and made it possible for us to be strong enough to make the sacrifices we have made. The ones that feel the loss more than anyone. Because they are every bit as much hero as those of us that served, because in their own way, they served right beside us.

Little One (reminder)

  Don’t forget, you decide your fate. You and you alone are in control of your destiny.

The Struggle

The demons living
In my head

Will not be quiet

Demand to be fed

The shiny blade

Watch it gleam

It does not hurt

Like it would seem

With the cut

Comes the release

With the blood

Comes the peace

Let out a sigh

Put it away

I will not hurt

Myself today