SHARING PRIVATE THOUGHTS...

Today is Saturday.....no work....I should probably be sleeping in but instead I found my eyes wide open at 5:30 a.m. just like clockwork. Im in such a routine. So I just came downstairs made my coffee and then remembered what today is......

Today would of been my father's 81st birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! Those who know me, know how much he meant to me. I lost my mother very young and so I was a young teenage girl being raised by her father. But it made me who I am today. An independent woman who can take care of herself!!! I often hear people my age now talking about their elderly parents and the hardships they face trying to help take care of them. I also see the ones that have a great relationship with their parents and they have a babysitter whenever they need one someone they know they can rely on and trust. I guess I will just always wonder what life would of been like if he would have lived another 10 or 20 years. I think about me and how much I miss him and the things he would do or the advice he would give. Then I think about him. He was a very private man. Also very stubborn. (Is that where I get it....lol). He never would ask for help and never wanted anyone to have to take care of him. I do believe everything happens for a reason. And I do believe my father was not the type of man who would of wanted to be pushed around in a wheelchair. He would of asked us to push him over a cliff.....lol. If he couldnt do it himself then forget it!!! So when he got too sick to care for himself I do believe that is why he gave up and refused further treatment. He did not like the idea of a burden being put on his family especially his two daughters.

I realize as Im getting older how much I am like my father. I think about things he probably sacrificed so I could have the things I wanted. I know now how much he worried when I stayed out late and didnt call. I know now that even when I grew up and moved out why he still insisted that I call him at least once a week. I realize that it takes a good parent to become a good parent. I am so very grateful that I had 2 loving and caring parents. And though I feel they were taken from me too early. Enough of their values and morals had already been instilled in me and has allowed me to become the mom that I am today.

Well, I better get going.....today I am going to a Woman's Retreat. Its for military wives. I went last year and absolutely loved it. They are having it at a resort in the lower desert. They provide us with transportation. Free daycare for the wives whose husbands are deployed. They have a very nice lunch, music, guest speakers and then they always give away prizes. Last year I received a 2 night stay at the Marriott Hotel. I feel grateful that there are people out there willing to show their appreciation. I do feel I deserve to be thanked too. I know my husband is the real "hero" but I sacrifice too. Its a team effort. And I know for a fact that not all women can handle the job of being a military wife!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

Semper Fi ,

LIZ <3