Sunday, July 3, 2011

A 4th of July Tribute

I've often found it odd that almost every national holiday on our calendar is accompanied with a blow out sale.  It seems almost obscene to hear the commercials this year while we celebrate our Nation's birthday.  So many have died to protect our liberties and while I find parades and picnics, cookouts and family gatherings to be the very soul of the day, I have to ask.  What is it with the sales?  Today we celebrate our country's birth, her peoples contributions to the safety of others and we mourn the loss of all the men and women who shed their blood for her and for us.  I am including in todays a post an original poem I wrote several years ago.  Also, I am including a link to the song Arlington, by Trace Adkins.  You may not be a country music fan, but only a stone would be unmoved by this...no, on second thought, that stone would weep.  TO listen to it go here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=arlington+trace+adkins&aq=0&oq=Arlington

She buried her son today
by Sandi McBride

She buried her son today,
That is why she sits in the dark with her cloak of grief pulled tightly around her.  That is why her eyes are empty, turned backward toward the past where he still plays , laughs...lives.

She buried her son today.
There is no consolement you can offer her that will lighten that grief and melt that capsule of ice that surrounds her heart and freezes her soul.  She means no disrespect in her failure to acknowledge your carefully chosen words, your outpouring of support.  At the moment she can not bring herself to reach out to you and accept your living warmth...she hugs her pain selfishly to herself separating herself from all but the one who was taken from her forever, the words God and Country an anathema for now.

She buried her son today.
And in her torment wonders had he lived, what great things he may have done to make a name for himself in this world, so that someone other than she remembers his name in years to come.  What beautiful flashing eyed girl would have captured his heart?  (His heart now beating in anther's chest, giving hope to some other woman who sits in some other room daring to smile because maybe, just maybe, her child would live to see another day.)

She buried her son today.
He was not her whole world, but a great portion of her world had revolved around him.  There will never come a day that her thoughts will not turn to memories of his birth, his first steps, his first ballgame, his first love.  She will forever see his sweet smile and clear unclouded eyes.  (Eyes now viewing the wonders of the world while looking out from a strangers face.)

She buried her son today.
And just for a moment marvels that the things she loved about him still live on, beloved Country in the future.  Just not today.  Today she buried her son.that while they could not help her beloved boy maintain life, somewhere out there her darling's heart still beats, his eyes still see.  But her grief lifts just for a moment.  She knows that she will rejoice in his gift to mankind and his

30 comments:

Pondside said...

There really aren't words, Sandi. The poem and the song - beautiful.

Akelamalu said...

Such a beautiful, poignant poem Sandi and I love the song too. x

bj said...

Hi, girl..sure was nice to hear from you. Wondered if all was ok with you and yours.
I hope your 4th is blessed, safe and FUN...
We are on our way to a parade..
xo bj

Lee said...

Sandi, that was so beautiful and meaningful that I found myself connecting with it in ways I hadn't expected What a wonderful tribute to those who've served, among them members of my own family. Thank you!

Love,
Lee

word verification "defurr'

Carver said...

Sandy that was so well written and poignant.

I totally agree about the shopping. It bothers me too.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I agree about the sales. When I was a child, the stores were all closed on Sundays and holidays were for families to gather together. Progress?

Donna said...

Makes me cry....Been missing you Girl!
Hope you have a good and peaceful day!
hughugs

NitWit1 said...

I love the Poem; also the song even though I am not CW aficionado.

Most, if not all of us who have a relationship with the military, relate to the mother.It might well have been our husband, brother (sister. father, etc.

The commercialization of holidays is disturbingly Americanized, although by now other countries probably have equivalents.

I know when I lived in Morocco, the days approaching Ramadan, featured marketing strategies, but at least they were related to the the event. The Hadj is even commercialized, especially in the area of the pilgrimage.

Enjoy your family today. I know you will. Hope your husband (heart) is doing well.

For now, after serious study of my prescription regimen, we discontinued only one drug, Nexium, and my heart and blood pressure medicines began to work 100%. My A-Fib and palpitations have been near totally absent--a few mild episodes--no hospital visit. We also changed from Warfarin to Pradaxa with nothing but positive effects.

Brian Miller said...

well, want to step on my heart again? smiles (through the tears) yes many made sacrifices so great to give us the freedoms that we do have...to them that serve both at home and abroad, they have my hearts...it is a beautiful song by trace as well...very well writ sandi...

Debbie Lo said...

What an incredibly meaningful, profound poem, Sandi. It really puts our nation's Independence Day in perspective. Wow.

I've always been thankful that no one in my family has died while protecting our country. I hope I never have to imagine that kind of grief and heartache, and will remember, this day, those who have suffered that kind of loss.

Thanks for sharing, and have a blessed July 4th weekend, Sandi!

Vee said...

That song always gets me. Your poem got me, too.

Suldog said...

May our good God bless heartily all those who mourn. Lovely job, Sandi.

cheshire wife said...

What a sad poem for what should be a day of celebration.

SandyCarlson said...

Your poem is gorgeous, Sandi.

I am with you on this. July 4 and Thanksgiving are the two national holidays that should be free of all that commercial nonsense.

Where I am in NC right now, there are plenty of young folks training to serve our nation with everything they have. It's a tough thing to see: young men running the beach with rucksacks on in the deadly heat (the better to impress the bathing beauties, and may they be impressed because these guys deserve it), toning their bodies beyond perfection only to give away that strength. To give an excellent gift. I wonder what it's like to be those young men and to be working out by running past men and women who can't even throw out their own trash. They have my respect. Come August, I will begin my school year talking about those young people.

Robby said...

Very touching poem, you should be happy on that day...

ancient one said...

Whew, just got here to read this. This poem tore at my heart. So sad!

jana said...

I to have just read this and it has brought the memories of my son who passed away last year.wish he were still here enjoying life. So sad.

Resnitsi said...

Бренд один из главных элементов любой компании. Будь она сильная и крупная с долгой историей, либо новая, только что сформировавшаяся фирма.
На сегодняшний день реклама в Ташкенте набирает обороты! Раньше в этих регионах и о бренде мало что было известно, а сейчас фирмы представляют одни из лучших логотипов в мире!
Так например фирма по созданию Бренда BrandBox занимает одно из первых мест на рынке Узбекистана. Ее клиентами являются крупные фирмы, которые создавали свой логотип у них изначально. Так же BrandBox занимается ребрендигом, и также они являются на рынке по ребрендингу лучшими!
Направления, которыми занимается фирма:
- Брендинг ташкент;
- Ребрендинг;
- Создание сайта;
- Раскрутка сайта;
- Товарные знаки
и тд...
Если хотите создать лучший бренд в Ташкенте, то вам обязательно нужно идти в Brandbox!

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