Aunt of a (future) Army Ranger? Oh and Good bye Sleepy Jean!

When I was a young and foolish girl, I thought I would some day marry and have six children and be the kind of Catholic earth mother popular in the 1970(s).  Instead, my life's journey has been rocky and sad, smooth and triumphant.  I fell from grace - hard - and crawled back to Holy Mother Church by way of 12 Steps and 12 Traditions.  I have received absolution for my mortal sin of killing my own children and been welcomed home as a Prodigal Daughter, realizing now that God my Father was scanning the horizon for me all along and just waiting for me to come home.

So now, of course, I am an old widow without children and constantly aware that people like me are not often valued in the secular world.  Unfortunately, we are sometimes overlooked by other members of the Body of Christ as well; however, I am very aware that I am now a Persistent Widow whose prayers are needed (and sought) by many.  I am honored to be asked to pray for people's intentions.  I always think to myself, "Do they realize who they are asking to pray for them?" and figure it is probably for the best that they NOT know all about me lest they run screaming from the room.

Yesterday I got to send money, birthday money, to my soldier in Germany.  He has re-enlisted and he told me that his hopes are that he will be accepted into Army Ranger School.  This is both good news and scary news.  There will always be a part of me that wishes he would simply come home and become a high school history teacher, though I guess when one considers how dangerous public schools have become that might not be a good idea. 

I am very proud of Ryan.  He is as close to a child as I will ever have (still living here on earth).  Ryan and his younger brother, Stephen, both wish to serve their country as Army Rangers.  Ryan, of course, is already a combat vet having served in the War on Terror in Afghanistan.  Stephen is still preparing for adulthood, graduating this year from Stanislaus Military Academy and beginning his local career as a member of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron 50 in Modesto.

Golly, I am proud of both of them.  God has blessed me with these children, allowed me to be a part of their lives even when some of the adults around them have tried to separate us or make me feel bad for having a part in their development.  It is one of the best things I have ever done, being their Auntie.

So while some members of The Church might forget us lonely people sitting all by ourselves in the pew, it is nice to know that we have a purpose.  And I would challenge anyone who sees the little old lady all by herself to remember that she may have been instrumental in someones life; she may have been the one to tell them stories, sing them songs, go over homework and drive them to practice - not in place of their parents but WITH their parents.

I also want to say good bye to Davy Jones - my first rock and roll love.  One of the members of the iconic boy band of the 1960's The Monkees....Davy was the cute one, the British one, the little one....and he died yesterday at the age of 66.

Amazing - Keith Richards outlives someone ELSE....

DFW - A Fabulous program comes to an end

DFW has been a stop over R&R station for our returning soldiers for over seven years.  Because of the draw down of American troops in Afghanistan, the US Army says the busy airport will no longer serve as a stop over station.

Now, that's kind of a good thing - it means our boys and girls in uniform are coming home.

That's not the story - the story is the incredible volunteer program put together by the women and men of Dallas/Fort Worth area.   On their own time, and on their own dime, they put together a Texas style welcome for every group that came through the doors at DFW.  My soldier was one of them, and he shared with us that their plane was met with a Water Canon Salute, a crowd of people with waving flags and lots of goodies to share, and the kind of 'We Love You because You Did the Deal' attitude that our soliders deserve when they are returning from the war.

I know that war is hell.  I know we have lost so many of our best and brightest, that some horrible things have happened to our young men and women and that they have seen, heard and participated in a side of life no right-thinking person wants for their children.  I also know that we cannot ever let them feel that their efforts and work is not appreciated.  They deserve support - medical, emotional, scholastically, financially, and most of all spiritually.  They MUST never forget that WE have not forgotten...for me, I can never forget.

SO read the article.  It is fabulous.  Makes me proud to be 'Half Texan'.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Here is my beautiful mother, Laura Juliette Crocco Shaw.  Mama turned 90 on Sunday, October 9, 2011.  My mother is, beyond any doubt, the most courageous woman I have ever known.  She was a single mom before it was fashionable, raised her children in the Faith and has never EVER deserted us even when we deserved to be left at the side of the road in some sort of body bag.

My mother is smart and funny and supportive and a nagger of all she loves.  No one she loves can escape her prayers....and all of us, if we make it into heaven, will have her to thank....

I am so grateful to be her daughter.  Thank you, Mama.

My purpose in life is to be the type of woman she has been - a faithful Catholic, a prayer warrior, a loving Aunt and spiritual mother to 'my daughters and sons' in sobriety, a good Aunt and a loving family member - even when some family members may hate my guts.

She never left me....and I will never leave those I love.  To do so would sully her memory and let her down.

I pray for the strength to be the woman she is....please keep me in prayer as well.

A Week with my Soldier

Every bit of wisdom offered by family and friends has turned out to be spot on. My soldier, PFC Ryan E Shaw, is leaner, quieter, funnier, more confident, walks with pride and simply lets the goofiness that can be his family roll off his back. I am thankful and I am amazed - and on his dog tags he listed Roman Catholic as his religion.

THANK YOU, JESUS!

The two days of ceremony at Fort Benning, GA was full of tears, smiles and lots of "YIIPPEEEE" and "HOORAH!!!". The men all looked so sharp. I got to meet my two soldiers I have been writing too besides Ry and got big hugs.

We went through the National Infantry Museum and I was stunned. It is a beautiful place, well worthy of our support. The types of exhibits they have trace our military heritage and the need for recognition of the bravery of the Infantryman from the Revolutionary War to today. They are the ones who take 'the last 100 yards' - but they are also Army Recon...and they often 'plow the road' for the Army and Marines who come in behind them. They are the first in and the first to get hit...and my heart was so full of pride, fear and pain I could hardly speak.

OK - let me tell the truth: I could NOT speak. I just went outside and sat very quietly by myself....and cried and prayed a decade of The Rosary. My faith is strong. It is stronger than my fear.

I have been advised to post one innocuous blog on The Hive. I did so and the response has been positive. LOM has been flat out warned to his face by several of the men that they know who he is and what he has said and what he has done. He has denied every bit of it, as I expected him to do; however, it does not matter. He knows we know and we know he knows....and it is duck season, not rabbit season...

This morning, Father Tom from St Patrick's Parish in Phenix City, Alabama (no, that's how they spell it here), is picking me up for Mass. Last night four women from my 12 step group showed up and we had a meeting in one of the empty 'conference rooms' at the hotel.

Yesterday we went to Atlanta and went through the Atlanta History Museum

It has been a full week. I am so longing for The Eucharist. I need to get away from this group and be with my Catholic Family. I am exhausted, I am sad, I am grateful, I am proud.

Jesus, I trust in YOU.