“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake.”
- Francis Bacon

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Welcoming home a small town hero - The giving thanks challenge...

In keeping with listing those things in my life that I am thankful for, today my "thanks-giving" includes:
  1. My dog, Scout, who took a walk with me today in the cool, autumn mist. He's always ready and willing to share time with me, no matter what the weather.
  2. I am thankful that I am not the mother in my town who shed tears for her son who died in Afghanistan last week. Her son is the reason for my early morning walk with Scout in the rain and mist. We stood there, my dog and I, in quiet reverence as the hearse carrying another mother's son to his final resting place passed by. Hundreds of us who stood in the rain today - all saying good-bye to a true small town hero - only twenty-three years old, Brandon K. Steffey.
  3. My country and the remarkable way I feel when I sing our national anthem.
  4. My mattress because it feels just like I am being cuddled when I nestle deep under my blankets.
  5. My computer and my laptop. Both serve a purpose and both have opened up a world that I never imagined when I was a child.The Internet. Since 1995 I have explored corners of our world that I will never visit and made friends I never would have met without its creation.

Army Specialist Brandon K. Steffey comes home
From the Sault Evening News: Steffey grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and graduated from Brimley High School in 2005. “Brandon had a big heart,” said football coach Scott Menard. “He was a funny kid and kept other players loose. As a player, he did whatever was needed to make the team better. He was outgoing and tried to make friends with everyone."

The 23-year-old joined the Army in 2006 and served two tours of duty as a K-9 handler. Steffey has a wife and young daughter where he was based in Fort Hood, Texas.

8 comments:

The Tiquehunters Wife said...

My words fall so short as I try to express how deeply thankful I am for such a sacrifice. I will be praying for this young man's family. Thank you for sharing this tribute and reminder that we have so much to be thankful for!
Blessings from the cabin!
Claudia O.

Anonymous said...

Oh you are so right. My heart goes out to this family. Such a sacrifice that so many do not even appreciate.
QMM

Sandi McBride said...

You were right, Mimi...todays thanks were sad...but a sentiment every mother and father who read you will share.
hugs
Sandi

bj said...

So many young people lost...I am so thankful for them and their fight for freedom.
Like you, I have so many blessings that I could list one every single day of the entire year!!
Beautiful posting today, dear heart.
xo bj

From the Old InkWell said...

Mimi, what a wonderful post! We can not give tribute enough to this young man. I have a sil going to Iraq very soon. I can feel this mother's pain.

calicodaisy said...

An important and bittersweet post. I'm praying for that mom tonight and can't imagine her suffering. My brother serves in the Army. He is high up there in the SF, and they do amazing things to keep our country safe and free. I'm thankful and thoughtful with you tonight. Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting each day. I appreciate your encouragement!

Natasha in Oz said...

This was such a touching tribute to a true hero. Such beautiful words.
I am so glad that you came to visit my blog or I would never had read this post or found your gorgeous blog.
Best wishes, NM
PS we used to have a Dalmatian called Scout! I miss him so much...

Anonymous said...

HI. Thanks for having come by my blog earlier today. It was hard to read about the soldier. My heart goes out to you all in the town because that's close. And to his folks and young family. Just recently someone else commented on the same fragrance of Jergens you did and for the same reasons. Isn't that amazing. I may have to check it out! I'm enjoying this 30 day Thanksgiving. See you soon. Thanks, Jen