Thankfulness: service

I’m behind on updating my thankfulness blog, and I have a few posts stored that I need to update later today or this week. But, I couldn’t let this weekend go by without being really grateful for our service men and women in recognition of Veteran’s Day. I’m off of work today, which is really wonderful because there are about a million things I need to get caught up on, but I’m also thinking about the men and women who don’t get long weekends with their families and are cold and far away. And because of this, I want to share with you a story about my cousin-in-law that I’ve been thinking about all weekend.

When my cousin G met her husband B several years ago, I couldn’t be happier…except for one thing. He’s a republican. Now I have many, many conservative friends and I love them dearly. But marrying one into the family? That’s another story. However, B is one of the sweetest men I know, and even though we sometimes get into heated debates about politics, he’s a perfect addition to our family, and I’m so proud to call him a cousin. B is in the reserves, and even though his wife is seven months pregnant with their first baby, he packed up his bag and headed to provide disaster relief in NYC after Hurricane Sandy. He’s already been gone for more than a week, he missed their baby shower, and G’s dad is recovering from some pretty serious health problems. All in all, it wasn’t a great time to leave.

I don’t think it’s any accident that Veteran’s Day is so close to Election Day. Even though B might not agree with the politics President Obama and I believe in, he’s a steller example of pride in our country and a bipartisan support for our citizens. Last week, when our country was nearly evenly divided on the issues, Veteran’s Day comes around to remind us that our politics are only a part of what make us Americans. We are good and generous people, and our veterans and active servicepeople are prime examples of what the United States stands for: setting aside our own burdens to help our neighbors, giving what we are able to help those who lost everything, and not wasting a second when given the opportunity to serve.

I am so proud of my cousin-in-law and his family for what they’re sacrificing for folks they don’t even know in New York. I know it’s been a challenge for both of them, and I’m so grateful for their reminder of what it means to be an American. Even though we’re divided on our politics, we’re completely united in the spirit of humanity.

Let this Veteran’s Day be a reminder to unite on the issues most important to our country…freedom, hope, generosity, and a profound appreciation for our brothers and sisters fighting to support these ideals. B, I’m so proud of you and your family today and every day.

To the vets,

Lia