May 28, 2012
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{because this is my home}
Recently, while in Pennsylvania, we visited the Flight 93 Memorial.
as I stood there, looking out at the field that marks the burial ground of those on board..
a big burly dude in Harley -Davidson black leather, tattoos all up and down his arms, and a dew cloth on his head, came and stood next to me.
We stood there. side by side like that. several minutes in silence.
and as he turned to walk away he looked down at me and smiled.
That quiet, sober kind of half smile you give people in circumstances like that.
saying to the other, even without words, all the emotions you have percolating inside.
And suddenly you feel this kinship…
though complete strangers. and from outward appearances, opposites in every way.
but Americans.
and this is your bond, because this is your home!
Last night I watched the Memorial Service in Washington, on tv.
I said to Shayne when it was done, “things like this make me miss my country…”
he was sweet and said, things like that made him miss it too.
funny to miss a country, when you think about it.
and I never knew one could. or what it felt like. till I was no longer living there, and did.
I miss seeing our flag. green money. milk in jugs. and chik-fil-a.
I miss family gathering for picnics. stars and stripes on napkins. and graeters ice cream.
I miss putting my hand over my heart and belting out the national anthem.
I miss sonics happy hour and walking into target and smelling that familiar target smell.
but really, no matter what country you’re from..
if there is freedom, then there are those who gave their lives to make that possible.
because freedom is not free. it has been bought at a cost. and at the highest cost for some.we need to remember that. and often. to not take it for granted. to remind our children!
at the Flight 93 memorial there’s a place you can hang notes and cards, tributes to those gone.
I wasn’t sure all that Emma had understood about what had happened there..
She had listened so intently to her mamaw explaining it to her.
her forehead wrinkling down, her eyes serious.
young six year old mind trying to piece it together.But when I asked her if she’d like to write something, she nodded silently, yes.
taking the pen, she hunkered over her little white sheet of paper..
slowly and carefully spelling out what she felt.
When she was done she looked at it for a minute.
added a smiley face and pinned it to the wall, stepping back beside me.I put my hand on her shoulder and read it out loud. then I smiled down at her.
the same kind of smile the biker dude had smiled at me.yes. I think she got what had happened there quite well.
and put down what I, and the biker, and all the others, who remember the price of freedom feel…
Comments (35)
I love Emma’s comment! That says it all!
her answer says it all. too sweet
Emma’s note is precious! And I so get the thing of missing your country. I remember last year, we visited the American Club on July 4. I stood there and watched the American soldiers raise the flag, and then we sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” I was surprised at myself when I realized I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Being on foreign ground definitely gives you a new and deeper appreciation for the country we were raised in. I’m so thankful for my American heritage.
perfect.
Wow, I’m sitting here with tears rolling. I too know what it’s like to miss one’s country. Oh my word, green money, American people, Malls, Starbucks, the many restaurants. Yes, Freedom is NOT free, My husband puts on a uniform every day, and serves his contry, I know now, first hand, what sacrifice is, to be overseas, is a sacrifice, to live here, to not be with my family and friends whom I love so dearly. But I am so beyond thankful, for those who’s given their lives for me, for our Wonderful USA, so we can have FREEDOM, to be alive. Thank you for this post. Emma’s words are so true and simple. Thank You for you’re sacrifice.
Sweet little Emma.
Happy Memorial Day to you up there in Canada…;)
it’s OK to grieve all your losses, amber. you’ve given up alot. america will always feel like “home”.
it only causes you to understand, even greater, that WE ARE NOT HOME YET!
our real citizenship is in heaven.
won’t that be grand? XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Wow, quite the tear jerker! I forgot there for a minute about your Canadian residence. We do have a lot to be thankful for here “in the States”. Love, love, love Emma’s note. Sometimes “thanks” just doesn’t seem like enough, but sometimes it all that can even be uttered at a site like that.
Blessings to you today!!
Love Emma’s comment.
this is precious! i visited that site a few years ago… the emotions you feel, the emotions you wonder what the passengers felt… it feels like a sacred spot.
hey lady, the good ole’ USA misses you too. you help me to remember what i love about my country.
loved em’s heartfelt note… just precious.
Emma’s words at age 6 are so sweet and so appropriate!!
Beautiful… While my Dad, Uncles, brother, and friends didn’t give the ultimate sacrifice in war, they were there, fighting for our freedom. I love our country, even in the trouble we are in right now, it’s the greatest country in the world!
It’s true. We Americans can be very different but have such a deep common ground. Thank you, and Happy Memorial Day.
I can only imagine missing all those things. Wish I could bottle up that “target” smell and send it to you!
@grits204 - oh, i know you understand. and unlike me, who atleast still gets to be in north america, you really ARE in a foreign country!! thankful for you friend. for your example of selflessness and your genuine heart for others~ hugs across the miles tonight.
@Airforce_Wife2011 - abbie!! yes yes!! i think wives of military men understand better than anyone that freedom is not free. to me, they are unsung heroes in their own right.. making some of THE hardest sacrifices that could be made. i have so much respect for you friend. grateful for men like your husband and wives like YOU that stand beside them!!
@chulya - that will be grand indeed my friend. thanks for saying that.. for giving me some perspective. i needed it.
xo
@babybreathblossoms - aww. that made my night!
so sweet.
i know its not the point of your post … but if they don’t sell milk in jugs there, how do they sell it?
and to the point of your post … beautiful & well said.
memorial day is more than a day off work & a picnic!
This was beautiful
And I love your daughter’s heart.
OH Amber! This one really made the mascara run! I miss my country too… SO much. I miss hearing English and just the FEELING in America. It’s hard to explain, but it is so different here. I am glad little Emma left that wonderful note. There really isn’t much more we can say, right?
I am fairly certain that there is a lot about the United States that I would miss if I were ever to leave. And it is probably stuff that I don’t even think about. Just take for granted.
Beautiful post! That picture of the flag is breath-taking. And about the biker dude and Emma and you and your Mom…I couldn’t help but think of that Brooks and Dunn song “We all bleed red.” We might look different on the outside, but especially at a place like the site of Flight #93′s crash, those who visit there probably feel a lot of the same emotions…like you said.
Simply love this and am so thankful for those who pay the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their lives for our freedom! We are blessed with men and women who serve our country selflessly!!!
wow, such intense, but good thoughts to share. It is good to remember the cost, and the sacrifices that go on. Emma’s note was perfect!
@H0LDfast - we have to go out each morning and milk the cow.. then just drink it straight out of the bucket!!
no. not really. though i do like fresh cow’s milk. actually, they sell it in bags. you have these cute little pitchers you put the bags in. you can get it in jugs at a few places, but it’s way more expensive~ not sure i’ll ever get used to the bag thing, but not enough to pay extra for the jugs. 
@DanishDoll - ”the feeling in america..” yes! i get that. it’s like how everyone’s house has a different smell, ya know. all distinct to just them. they can’t even really smell it…
that’s how i feel w/ the countries we’re from. it has a certain feel, and probably those living there don’t even know – until you leave and come back. then. you just sense it so strongly when you come back! big hugs my far away friend~
Heart-rending! It’s so sweet and touching when they, in their own sweet little childlike way, understand and respond. When I think of all the things that have happened in our country and the things that are currently being done in it now, by both Republicans and Democrats…………..I get heart sick.
Our founding fathers would be so grieved and I can only imagine the anguish that our Heavenly Father feels. It’s sad.
I hate it when you make me cry at work. lol
Love it. I totally understand the kinship with the biker guy. I’ve experienced similar things to that, and it’s just indescribable. Well, except that you just did.
Target DOES have a particular wonderful smell.
Emma got it just right, didn’t she?
Yes, our country is like no other. Even with it’s flaws, it is still truly wonderful. : )
funny. as in wiping tears sobering. how “level the ground” is at that memorial. each person different, bikers, blonds, and perceptive 6 year olds. and yet regardless of posture, we are kneeling. equal. bonded with gratefulness. emma said it perfectly. what a beautiful post.
Yep, thank you. Was reminded of our great freedom and our great country as well. I am reminded of it often through Zalen as he experiences a country with so much blessings & freedom. Truly a great country.
children have the perfect words at moments like this, so simple and to the point. effortless. happy you got to visit this place with your folks and little emma. something special you will always remember. I left the sadness and emma’s thankyou as well.
So NEAT, what little Emma wrote….
i miss you, Amber!
Love all you said here! Amen! We were up in NY at West Point for Memorial Day. My niece married a graduate of West Point at the beautiful Chapel. Between the wedding and the reception we were able to see the Memorial Day Ceremony at Trophy Point and saw a 21 canon salute. The entire weekend there seeing so much history of our great nation renewed our thankfulness for this country and all who serve. God bless America!!! Have a great Friday!!!