Friday, November 6, 2009

Giving Thanks, Day 6

To start with, today is hard for me. Being a Military Family member (albeit retired) what hurts one hurts all. I sat in shock yesterday as the (erroneous) news reports came over the air. Now with 13 dead and scores wounded, we learn that the man who was to care for their emotional needs inflicted great bodily harm on them, instead. While the news at first reported his death, he lives. I told Mac, after we had spent an hour hearing the same information regurgitated from different newscasters, that we needed to wait till today, when the facts began to come out. How different are the facts than the supposition? Very. I learned long ago in my work that the only thing you learn from eye witness accounts is that each one has a different version. It will be days before we know all the investigators know, and even then we won't know it all. So, our prayers go out to the surviving injured and their families, and most especially for the families of those killed. God be with them. And some may find what I am about to say very difficult to take. I want God to heal the soul of the shooter. I in fact beseech God on his behalf, to heal that wounded spirit so that in his current state, he may ask the forgiveness of his Maker for the harm he has inflicted. My upbringing tells me that God forgives all. After all, man proposes, God disposes.

Now, for what I am thankful for this morning. I am thankful that my sons and daughters(in-law) are well and uninjured today. I am thankful that my Granddaughter is safe within her school walls and learning the lessons she will need to become a success in her future. I am thankful for the man I married 41 years ago, who spent much of his life (30 years) in the Navy spending many years at sea away from those who loved him most to defend the country he loved the most.Father , I am thankful.
your child

Amen

27 comments:

Shadow said...

a moving post. one of true thankfulness...

jabblog said...

Well said, Sandi. As the Quakers say, there is something of God in everyone - though sometimes we have to look very hard to find it. Poor man - he must be very disturbed.

Anonymous said...

Sandi, I am so enjoying reading your gratitude posts. I too watched with horror the events of yesterday and although we are not military connected I thought of all military families first and then all families. In this human family, when one hurts we all hurt. I love the idea of the coffee can birdhouses too. I don't think we had a bird family this year, but maybe next year. If nothing else I love the touches of color. Also, when looking at the can top, head on,the writing on the top was hardly noticeable, but at this angle you can see what it is. I am glad that showed up. It might not have looked like what it was from another angle. Glad you liked it.
GMM

Lee said...

Sandi, as you know, I'm saddened too by the losses our wonderful defenders experienced and those their families are suffering from now. So my prayers are with yours as we think about those who met such a tragic end and those who are missing them today.

This morning started with another prayer too, one for you and Mac.

Love,
Lee

Nessa said...

We must always pray for the perpetrators because if they never get better these things will continue to happen.

This is such a tragedy for everyone.

Flash 55 - Holiday Preparations

Maggie May said...

With so much awful news on the media, we must be thankful that today is running smoothly with nobody hurt in our families...... praise God for that!

Nuts in May

Finding Pam said...

Sandi, you are so right that we should pray for the man that caused all this horror.

All of the men in our families have served their country in the service. I am so sad this happened to the men and women that fight for our freedom. My oldest is in the service and he is in Germany right now.

Please say a word of thanks to Mac for his thirty years of service for us and to you for holding it all together while he was gone.

Very touching post today.

Peace and prayers for our soldiers everywhere.

Finding Pam said...

Sandi, you are so right that we should pray for the man that caused all this horror.

All of the men in our families have served their country in the service. I am so sad this happened to the men and women that fight for our freedom. My oldest is in the service and he is in Germany right now.

Please say a word of thanks to Mac for his thirty years of service for us and to you for holding it all together while he was gone.

Very touching post today.

Peace and prayers for our soldiers everywhere.

Zuzana said...

This terrible incident made headlines even in Europe. It is awful...
You post is very touching...
Hope Friday is treating you well.
xoxo
Zuzana

Lynne said...

Dreadful news of military deaths everyday at the moment, both over your way and in the UK as well.
Prayers to all the families who have lost someone.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

This event was very sobering for everyone. I can only imagine the horrible grief that ensued. The family if the man responsible is also going through angst. What a troubled mind to commit this atrocity....

We should all be thankful for God's forgiving love.

Akelamalu said...

Such a terrible thing to happen and as you say the witnesses will all have something different to say because, as my Dad always says, there are 360 ways of looking at an elephant.

The truth will come out once all the evidence and statements are put together but it will still be unfathomable don't you think?

Love Bears All Things said...

I think I'll just say, AMEN!
Mama Bear

Gill - That British Woman said...

such a tragedy the Fort Hood shooting, praying no one else dies.

Gill in Canada

Sharon Rose said...

Sandi,
As I read through your post, I kept thinking about the brokeness of the man who is responsible for these deaths and injuries. What happened to him? What dragons could he not slay and yet all these years he has been helping others.

I'm with you. . . I am so terribly sad for those whose lives are lost, for those injured and for those who will suffer PTSD and grief. And. . . my heart broke for that soldier who lost his own mental health when trying to help others keep theirs.

i beati said...

it's become a treacherous world. The mom who said her son was such a good kid who was so proud...

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sandi: Very nicely said of what you are thankful for.

SandyCarlson said...

That's a gripping post. The incident at Fort Hood is horrible and sad and heart-breaking.

These nightmares do turn us toward our blessings for comfort. And that helps. Your blessings are rich. Your family is wonderful.

Tom Bailey said...

30 years? - I am grateful whenever I hear of service like this.

Best regards

Boozy Tooth said...

What wonderful sentiments, Sandi. And I agree... to pray for healing the soul of the shooter is the most unselfish of acts. Who needs it more than he?

By the way... we have a huge Navy installation here in Jacksonville. Both the Naval Air Station and Mayport. Has your husband ever been stationed here?

PS: I'm thankful for you, ma'am. You leave the best comments at Casa Hice! Thank you!

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

What a beautiful post.

I was so relieved to learn that my nephew stationed there was safe and in lock-down in the Theatre. I pray for the sad families and for this un-peaceful world.

Justabeachkat said...

Beautifully written sweet friend! Such a sad thing!

Hugs!
Kat

Gill - That British Woman said...

A big thank you for sending over Four Paws and Whiskers to my blog, hopefully she can advise me.

Gill in Canada

♥Mimi♥ said...

Yes, the safety of those we love and hold most dear, their health and welfare, is so critical. As a mother, I know that when they hurt - we hurt.

I also know as a mother that when others that I am not related to suffer, I think of their mothers and my heart aches. I can't imagine the pain of all the mothers of those military personnel who were either killed or wounded - in a place where they should have been safe.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

This atrocity is so shocking as is the killings in Helmand of British soldiers this week by the Afghanistant policeman they were training. God bless our troops and heir families. Without them our lives would be much more at risk.

Maria said...

I always use Psalm 91 to protect my family. We are all in His hands.

Judy said...

My heart goes out to all those people whose lives were changed forever during this horrifc incident. Thanks for turning our hearts towards our many blessings...despite the nasty things that we see and hear on a daily basis. We have much to be thankful for!