A Memorial Weekend

Friday afternoon, I've had that itchy "just get away from work feeling" for quite sometime! That awareness usually leads to me being in a close relationship with Ol' Blue (my pickup) just driving around. Something about digging around on the radio finding a good song, windows down air blowing around, and "dropping the hammer" makes me feel more independent and livelier than the sometimes mundane routine called "my life." This day it involved sneaking out of work firing up Ol' Blue, and getting down the road. However, due to some other plans and a requirement to be at a meeting from 6-10 that night. I naturally of course found myself in the vicinity of the meeting I had to attend, but way too early. So with time on my hands and way too many devilish thoughts in my head I chose to visit my fathers grave.

My father is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. He is buried there because my father was a soldier, a veteran, and because he served with distinction and honor. But, the service to his country cost him in many ways. Many years ago, during an appointment with a doctor, somebody made the mistake of handing me an old medical dossier. I remember it was thick, the outside looked like it had been stained with drops of something dark at one point but had faded over time. Of course the kid who inherited his fathers fascination with reading anything opened it up to read the contents. What I read in those following passages has stayed with me forever. It was the medical history of my fathers Army career. I remember reading about the 15-17 GSW and wondering what GSW meant. This was before it was a common term on any evening tv program. I read about grenade shrapnel in his stomach, how he had lost part of lung, a shoulder blade, and was retired from military service with a 100% medical disability.
He spent countless time in a hospital bed, at George C. Beech. Approximately seven years being rehabilitated. However, those wounds would last him a lifetime. They would come and go in the forms of extreme pain, paralysis, and nightmares so black, cold, and lifelike that they could test the sanity of the sanest.

Dad never talked much about his service. The medals were buried deep and he never mounted them for others to see, or tell the glorious stories of how they were earned. I do know that I looked up to my father and I knew he was special. Maybe because growing up my biggest fear was the dark, but my old man never feared the dark. To me that was cool, I always wanted to find out if I was as tough as Dad. To this day I measure myself against everything he went through and overcame to be the man he was. I've never been shot at, wounded in combat, or had to relearn every muscle in my body, or rebuild every relationship I had known. I measure myself against that...that if the toughest thing I ever have to worry about in my life is paying bills...then life is pretty easy for me and nothing I'll come against will ever be the mountains my father had to climb to go on with his life.


I know he joined the service as a way out. Like many of the kids we see today he needed something better than what was going on, and being raised in a military family he saw a place that could provide for him and help him plan out his future. He just didn't know how bad things would get before they were good. He never regretted his service, in fact I speak with veterans and servicemen alot, and not many offer a bad word for the commitment they make or the time spent. However, they all agree Uncle Sam could do a little better job.


My drive through the cemetery is different today. It's not deafening silent like the legions of crisp marble white headstones usually are when I visit. It's usually me and Ol Blue with a few scattering of vehicles, but today is bustling with activity. Boy scouts and girl scouts in their stiff starched uniforms with scout masters busy watching over their actions. JROTC cadets are walking about directing traffic, and escorting the elderly. The main rotunda is surrounded with bleachers for the weekend activities. Being raised a respectful Aggie I cringe as my Ol Blue barely scrapes past parked cars and straddles the concrete curb, but trudgingly I make my way to a spot I know so well. I couldn't tell you the section or row number, what I can tell you though is my destination is fifty sobering paces from the steering wheel to the stone that bares his name. It's a somber place for me to visit and it has changed through the years. The final resting place of an old soldier has gone through several metamorphosis over time. From caliche with small name markers to the arrival of gently rolling grass and that signature headstone. The headstone itself since being placed has been rearranged and realigned still no matter its appearance the contemplation it brings me is always awe inspiring. Today, on this hot humid Friday afternoon I was awed again.

I don't care what your belief is about war. You have to honor the American soldier! Those men and women who have served in the armed services deserve this day. They make a sacrifice that most of us will never endure or understand. We'll never walk in their shoes or carry their burden nevertheless we can commemorate the accomplishment, the loyalty, and the commitment it takes to be a United States soldier. And for the few forsaken who will never come back, those that gave the ultimate sacrifice I am so thankful for you. Without someone willing to stand on the line and say evil will not cross then we would never be free. Memorial Day is for you and I hope wherever you are that you know we are proud of your service and are thankful for all that you do.

Do your part to thank a soldier. There are alot of ways to help out. Donate needed items, visit a veteran's hospital to hear their stories, or stand silently amongst a crowd of marble white headstones and say thanks. Whatever, you do just know that you couldn't be who you are without them.

Hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day.
Thanks
LB

What A Week

Well there sure is a lot going on around here. First off, welcome Miss Rylynn Riojas to the world! She's going great so far, but keep her and her parents in your prayers. Everyone else is doing fine and getting better everyday. The blessing are abundant around here and lots of praise to be said.
School is winding down and that means more time to play. The jet ski should be back from being serviced soon, and the boat has been on the list to be cleaned everyweekend since Easter....maybe next week? I'll be teaching summer school for the month of June but Friday's are off and that makes for a great time.
Guest F will be home tonight. Looking forward to some third grade flirting, maybe some dancing, and a whole lot of laughs. She's really a blast to be around....(maybe I'll get to take the Mustang out again).
The horses are doing great, cattle are fattening up. Except for theses 100 degree afternoons it almost feels like a pretty good spring. Even the wind has seemed to die down lately. Thank God, I thought it was beginning to feel like lbk or Amarillo around here.
The Kipp academy is coming out Saturday for their ranch party and I think they'll have a good time. Learning how to rope, what brands are about, a hay ride, and a great chance to see live the snakes of South Texas should be a blast.
Sunday, Mother's Day. What can I say? I'm blessed to have the greatest mother in the world. She's put up with a lot from me and yes she jokes about it, but its probably true that I am responsible for most of her gray hair. However, I love her. She's never tried to hold me back from anything I've wanted to accomplish, and that is a rare thing to have now days. I'll admit she is usually right about most things and I come around to seeing that eventually, but she lets me do it in my own way and time. I love her for that. So Happy Mother's Day Mom and I Love You. Those of us that are lucky enough to have an illustrious family understand how important they are to have in our lives. If you're one of the lucky ones then take the time to thank them. It doesn't have to be some grand gesture, but letting them know they're appreciated is a wonderful thing. Anyways, thanks for stopping by and y'all have a great time.

Hasta Luego
LB

It's Raining!!

It's raining WHOOP!!! Thank you Jesus, we sure need it. It's Monday and I'm dragging. This morning we kicked off our week of TAKS testing. Poor kids, it is such a stressful time for them especially for the kids I deal with. Many of them have become accustomed to being passed through the system. Now they have to actually pass this test to graduate and walk the stage, well technically there is always a way out for few (but thats another conversation).

Spent Friday in Giddings with my brother at a ranch sorting and we had a blast! Rebel is coming around and I'm confident he'll make a great horse. I just wish he would quit acting so much like myself. (is that weird to think my horse acts just like me?) At least he's not a whiner like another horse my brother owns but we won't mention names. LOL Give us some time to work out the kinks and we'll be a pretty damn good team.

Saturday was spent driving home and hanging out with some friends, good to see Fuller back at the house and his little brother. The highlight of the day was Michelle's brownie cake that said "Red Sux" not Red Sox just to antagonize Clay.

Went to church Sunday, felt kinda weird about that. Had a great speaker but some of the things he said I took exception too. For example, he called down some people that had some serious conditions, prayed with them and told them they were healed. I have my faith but something about the service just shook me as odd. Anyways, it was great hanging out with mom afterwards.

Still raining here and I am ecstactic!!! I think it's ten days till I see Guest F. Hmmm dinner (she thinks I can cook), dancing (we get around pretty good), a great band (yet to be determined), but anything with her is fun and I kinda miss her.

Y'all Have Fun

Well Done Mr. Gates

Howdy,


First off thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes for my friend. He is at home recovering and should know more in the next few weeks. However, he's in great spirits and is doing well.

We had a very special thing happen this week. As Former Students of Texas A&M (Aggies), we celebrated Muster. It's one of our traditions where we gather with fellow Ags and honor the passing of Aggies by calling role call and we answer here for them. It's a time for reflection on the values that were instilled upon us during our time at Texas A&M(Yes, I have values but I just hide them really well). This year I'm thankful to not know anybody on the Muster list, but I feel for those of us that do. If you haven't had the chance yet, then take the opportunity to watch Dr. Gates Muster speech at http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/43429717.html . Even for those that aren't Aggies you will gain some insight to what makes us tick ( just a little insight). Dr. Gates does a great job relaying our values as a university, and you get a view of how the debt of living in a free country is being paid. Thanks to all those that are out there defending our great nation, and we are wishing the best for you and your families.

Hasta Luego
LB

Cancer

The big C, the dictionary definition is malignant growth. That pretty much translates to growing disease. I'm old enough to know I won't live forever, but most days I am young enough to still feel bullet proof. When my best friend called Friday and said he had cancer and he would be having surgery today, well needless to say I felt exposed for the first time.

This couldn't be possible? In fact writting this I am still bewildered by the information. All I've been able to tell him is, "Let me know if you need anything." If you knew my friend you'd know he'd never "let me know." I think thats what we have most in common. Our innate ability to get things done and accomplished without too much help from anyone. Truthfully, I honestly can't remember him ever asking anything of me except when he called Friday. He asked me to pray for him. I don't know if he was on medication, maybe he was high, dellusional with fear, (he wasn't any of these things) but whatever it was (his belief in the power of prayer) he made a request to me and it floored me. I've always passed on prayer requests to him, and he's done the same to me. However this was different (this was for him), when I make those requests it is because I know my friend is a man of God. He has a very open loving relationship with God, trusts him completely, and invokes prayer to help those that need it.

I am a christian, and I know that the prayer of the saintly and the prayer of the sinner are both of equal weight in the eyes of God. However, I was still floored by the request. My friend who has been there for me through so many of my darkest days of lost family, lustful pursuits, and irish fits of rage. He knows the skeletons in my closet and the demons that I have, but he still recognizes me as one of Gods children and asked me to pray for him. I've felt short on faith so many times, but my friend has always helped me realize God is pulling for us and wants us to have joy and happiness. I am somber yet enthusiastic to pray for my friend. We don't ever know whats in store for us on lifes odyssey, but we can take solace that God will be with us.

My friend, I pray that the storm you are enduring be swift and light. That you take solace in your faith and I pray that you recover swiftly. I pray that the Lord be with your loved ones and friends and comfort them as you endure this difficult time. We all look forward to you being your usual self soon. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

As we encounter life we feel exulted at most of the challenges it brings. That first gawky kiss (never kiss a girl with braces), viginity (waiting is better), love (still working on it), friendship (I am truly bleesed in this area), and coming in to our own sense of the world around us (bigger is not always better). I am jubilant that my friend has helped me realize that on the darkest of days when the walls close in, and the wolves are at the door that faith will carry me through.

Here Comes The Rain

It's not a drought buster...but it's enough to keep faith. Good news it's Friday, but a little sad that Guest F's not around. Anyone have any fun filled weekend plans? I'm working at the ranch tomorrow then headed up to hippyville aka Austin, TX for a mini-reunion with some very cool old friends. Well hope everyone has a great weekend and we'll touch base Monday.
Hasta
LB

Welcome Y'all Come In

Good Morning,

It's about humid 70 degrees this morning here just South of San Antonio. Working hardly this morning...but if you're reading this then welcome to my blog aka Mi Vida Loco. I look forward to sharing the crazy things that go on in my life. Those might be anything from things in my past, last nights capers, or just my view of the minifying traditional American male. I won't divulge too much of myself right now, but tune back from time to time and check out the latest escapade. I guarantee you there will always be something to write about! This seems like a pretty cool idea, thanks Guest F.

Hasta Luego
LB