This morning I woke to find a message on Facebook from my dear Seasister Loui of Mountain Mermaid, telling me to stop by her blog today. Well, imagine my surprise when once again, she threw me another birthday party! I know I've been gone for such a long time, but recently I've been talking with her and another blogging friends about my desire to return to Blogland and catch up with all of you. It has been a hard year, I still miss my sister everyday, but I realize I need to move forward and rewrite my life. I've actually been slowly working on several posts, there is so much I wish to share with you. More than anything though, I want to get back with all of you, where I always felt such camaraderie. We've shared laughs and sorrows for so many years and I want to feel the warmth of your friendships again. I'm sorry I haven't been around to see you all, but please know you've been near to my heart. Have a wonderful summer and look for me on the horizon, I'm getting closer and closer to shore!
UPDATE:
You have all made my day so incredibly special and I can't thank you enough for the well wishes here and on Facebook. I must say that my heart is singing and these old feet are doing the happy dance. Why have I stayed away for so long, when all I had to do was come back to Blogland to have my spirits lifted!
In case you missed it, a couple of my friends really know how to throw a Mermaid Party!
I wanted to drop in and wish every single one of you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Since the weather here in Florida has been in the 80s for over a week I decided I would share my favorite tropical Christmas song, recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters wayyyyy back in 1950…
The last 6,000 American troops are to be out of Iraq by December 31.
Have you come across this ad on YouTube?
That's my nephew and his family in the picture!
Earlier this month, my family marked the 1st anniversary of my nephew coming home from Iraq. While David was deployed there was a documentary made called Operation: Family Connect. The collection of films told the stories of three military families and what they experienced while they were apart. My nephew and his family were one of the families.
David was deployed just after his son Ian's birth, so not only was he looking forward to seeing his beautiful wife, Ariana, but he was also excited about spending time with her and his son as a family.
At this time of year, my heart turns to other military families who will not be able to be with their loved ones for the holidays. For almost 4,500 troops this day will never come, they made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for us.
Today I would like to share The Rathburn Reunion video with you to give you a glimpse of what our military families go through as they wait for their soldier to return to them and the moment they spot each other across a field. This is putting a face on what so many have or will experience.
To our troops who are still deployed in Afghanistan and other parts of the world, I wish you a speedy and safe return to your loved ones. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
My nephew, David Rathburn, has been home for a year now. As a family they just celebrated their son's second birthday. I am so proud of them and wish them a very Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.
Please take some time this busy season to thank our troops in any way you see fit, it will make your heart sing and show them how much we care.
I love the beach and everything that goes with it! I love the waves lapping at my feet. I love the feel of the sand between my toes. I love the roar of the Pacific and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Let's talk about beaches around the world, bonfires, building sandcastles, swaying palm trees, flamingos, clambakes, sunrises and sunsets. If it's tropical, it fits this blog!
