#12

I thought long and hard about today's gratitude post but in the end I decided to be sappy and post about Veterans day. As I was scanning through pictures on the computer and reading facebook posts about the many brave men and women that serve our country I came across this... 

This is a picture of my grandpa's funeral.  He served in the army and received complete military honors at his graveside service.

This is a picture of my uncle who currently serves in the United States Army, giving my grandma the flag from my grandpa's coffin.  

If you have never attended a funeral with military honors you are missing perhaps one of the MOST spiritual experiences of your life. It is spine chilling to recognize how sacred this land and those who serve it are. While my grandfather did not die while serving and protecting his country, nor has my uncle, there are MANY who have.  I can imagine that the funeral of a fallen soldier is quite a sacred experience. I remember how I felt at the gun salute, and as my uncle handed my grandma the meticulously folded flag, and the emotions that swept over me as I saw my grandpa's military helmet upon a rifle.  I can also remember how I felt when I saw men and women in uniform whom I did not know, nor did they know my grandpa, there to honor him because he served and honored our country.  I don't know the men and women that protect me, that sacrifice for me, that fight for me but they do and the least that I can do is thank them so that I can go about my business in my bubble thinking that there is not a thing that is wrong with the world. So today's gratitude is for them.  Thank you for protecting America, thank you for being America!

 Big shout out to uncle Karl! Love you and your sweet family and all that you do. Thank you!