annieology

It is my understanding that the President addressed the nation tonight.  I mean, the joint sessions of Congress and it was televised.  I wouldn’t know.  I was elsewhere, and besides the super deluxe TV is broken.  I know, it’s not very civic minded of me to miss such an important event in our nations history.  This is going to rank up there with Social Security and Medicaid if the talking points they’ve been repeating on the news bumps every half hour are any indication.

That’s right, I have heard Obama say that Roosevelt was accused of being a Socialist when he wanted national Social Security.    You know our forefathers who fought against Social Security hated old people.  We are living 70 years into that future, and I think we can all agree that Social Security is indeed a blessing to our grandparents, parents, and God help me if I’m not excited about the possibility of getting it in the future.  I think of it like playing the lottery.  I put money in and should someday I get money out, it’ll be free money.  Except I don’t play the lottery.  Bad odds and all.

Also?  Social Security is broke.  We as a nation have resolved ourselves to the probability that it won’t be there when we need it.

Those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.  Health Care may work for this generation.  Maybe.  But what does it look like in 70 years.  Social Security?  Worse?  I don’t know.

That wasn’t my concern tonight.

Tonight, I was needed elsewhere.

Shanda made cake.

And God wanted me there to eat it.

Now there were other things that needed to be done, like talk to people about adoption, and sign up to do event planning.  Oh and adopt my Canadian friend so we can go on The Amazing Race and wear our annieology tees.  Actual important things that will make my life better.  Plus my Canadian friend is a nurse and when I’m her mama I can make her fix me as part of her chores.  Whatever, it’s my blog, I can make my fake adopted non kid from Canada do anything I want.

I won’t need to worry about social security, I have six kids,  seven if you count Canada.  So they have to take care of me when I get old because I do not feel very secure with the “public option” on my retirement.   I’m writing that into the adoption plan.

Wednesday night was God’s way of telling me that I don’t need to concern myself with all that is happening in Washington.  He’s in charge everywhere.  Even there.  What is going to make a real difference in my life is spending time with real people.   With friends that I love.  Helping people who are actually hurting right now.

What do I care about health care anymore?  I’m adopting a nurse.

This country was built on the blood of men and women who were hungry for freedom.  Who gave up everything they knew and loved, for hope.

My grandfather’s parents left their country with money gifted them by family at their wedding.  A family who wanted to give the young couple something they didn’t have.   The young couple left friends and family, trading the familiar for an unknown future.  Their ship run aground off the coast of New York.  What little they brought had to be left behind.  They arrived in this country with the clothes on their backs and each other.  And hope.

Their son fought in World War One.  Putting his life on the line for his unborn children to have the future his parents had sacrificed for.

The father of my mother fought in World War Two.  Was wounded in action.  And yet years later, and this time leaving a family behind, he went to Korea.  Knowing the dangers he faced, he went to fight for freedom.  His son would go to Vietnam.  His son would be wounded. For the right to be free.

The blood of my family has been spilled for this country.  Sacrifice has been made for me. For freedom.  For a better life.   A freedom and life that we all benefit from.

When blood is shed a covenant is formed.  Between  man and  woman.  Between  mother and child.  Between men and country.  A covenant entrusted to me.  One I have not had to make, but one I will honor.  I honor my husband not by the covenant of blood, but because of our willingness to sacrifice.  A covenant not born of blood with half of my children, but a sacrifice I make of my todays for their tomorrows.   And to honor those who have died for my country, I will take to the polls so that we will not need to take to the streets.

And yet, we whine.

Because we have to pay for health care.  Why shouldn’t we?

We want a someone to pay us a decent wage.  Forgetting that we have every opportunity to earn one.

The men and women who have given their lives for this country did not do so for us settle.  We cannot work for the minimum and earn the maximum.   You want more?  Go out and get it.

Despite what you hear on the evening news, our country is favored in most parts of the world.  I encountered a man from Mexico, this week, who left his family at 18 to come here to fight along side our men and women.  To fight for freedom. Ours.  His.   To fight for the opportunity to give his family more than he had.   A sacrifice that is lost on many of our own youth.

Remember, this weekend is INDEPENDENCE Day.  It is not dependence day.  This country does not exist for your benefit.  You benefit because this country exists.

We had the privilege of parenting you for about a month, although we had the adventures of a lifetime that month. I’m sorry for the way it all ended but quite frankly you scared the heck out me. I understand that you were not stealing just collecting things that you might need for later. I am sorry for all that you had to go through to get to the point you were at when I knew you. I understand that after all of that it’s scary to be a girl. I still have the card that you made that says “I love you,” I hope that we made a difference in your life. Please understand that I had six other kids to protect. I am hoping that you found a place where you were safe. I’m praying that as you become an adult you’ve learned enough to live the life that you’ve always dreamt. I know that most of what you have been told in your life has been a lie. I have been in the system for a small amount of time, I cannot imagine having it be the only constant in my life. I am hoping that they have provided you with what you need to get started in life. I am hoping all that I can for you.
Happy Dirpay
Love,
Mom