Support Our Troops

How often I hear Support Our Troops.

And I am so thankful for every person that has prayed for our men and women in the military as well as for us the families who love them.

But sometimes I wonder, how much do we as a nation really appreacte the armed forces?

Oh, I'm not talking about Carepackages and letters form school children, great as they are.

But I mean when a soldier comes home and his wife hands his the papers saying the Bank is forclosing on their home? Or the Army Reserviest (like my husband) who comes home and still can't find a job after a year.

A National Gurad who know has to go and apply for Food Stamps to feed her family. The months of waiting to be seen at the VA hosptial.

There are wonder busniesses who indeed stepped up to the plate and hired our returning Veterans. There are wonderful groups, like Support Our Troops (one of the blogs I follow,) make sure our military isn't forgotten. And then there are folks I know who pray for Mark and I and all our troops.

I truly believe that they have given theit best, yes even their lives for us.

Maybe it is time for us as a nation, to step up our game and really support our troops.

Yeah, bring them home. Give them jobs and don't take thier homes.

Roses For My Lady

My husband and I refer to this month as Lovers Month. For this is the month (12th) six years ago that Mark asked me to marry him.
We celebrate this month because this is when our marriage really began. It was this time that we made convenat, sealing it under the Huppah that June.

For us it is a big deal. I decorate the house for the month, have a special meal and the past few years we have even got away for a lover's weekend.
Last year, we headed out for the Beach. Mark was home for R&R, so it was a precious time.
This year, I rejoice my hubby is home.
This year, after Hebrew class Sunday evening, we took off for Williamsburge, enjoying this special celebration.
One of the times I have always loved about Mark is that whether he is home or deployed, he workes to keep the passion, the romance going. Not to stay I don't. We work to keep the love going.
Last year, while Mark was coming home, I went shopping and found V-Day decorations at half and even ninty percent off. Including hearts and flowers wrapping paper that I covered our bedroom door with.
It has remain u.
A truly loving marriage is a romantic one. We would shower the one we love with love, not just the 14th of Feb, but every day of our lives.
Tonight as my husband takes his shower, I am so thankful he is home this year, to share this special time.
I don't take it, or him for granted.

The Joy of Shabbat

Yes, I know it has been a few months since I have written.
Life has come to a slow pace, a peaceful place.
Mark is still home and no deployments are in sight for the next few months.
The exciting news is we will have a soon a Civil Affairs unit stand up at a nearby base. Exciting because the base is only forty-five minutes from home instead of four-six hours. It means my support when he deploy will be right here.
Of course this means Mark's beard will have to go.
And it is now so nice and full.
But I am not thinking about that right now.
I am thining about the chuck roast in the oven, smelling good. I am thinking about how nice Mark will look in his Shabbat clothes.
The lighting of the candles, the sparkle of the wine and the scent of challah. The blessings. The time with the Holy One and with my beloved.
I think of the torah being chanted and the discussions afterwards.
I think of the peace that fills our home and pray for that peace to fill other homes, other hearts, even for the people of Egypt.
The joy of Shabbat.
There is nothing like it.