Letters from Home May 13, 2011

Dearest Brave Heart,

This is probably going to be an odd letter. I do hope that you are able to laugh and for a moment remember the everyday things that make life great. I want you to know that I appreciate all the things you are doing to protect the freedoms that I hold dear.

Life here is Simi-normal. For me that is, I work as hard and often as I can, and enjoy the little things. I work forty plus hours a week. Lately I spend my free time setting up a house I moved into in January. The house is one that my family had, so although it its familiar it was never mine. One of the things I value in my home is the ability to transport whoever is in it to a comfortable oasis. One example, well, I put glow in the dark stars all around the top of the room so when I lay down to sleep the few minutes before I go to sleep I can visualize the beauty of the night.

Being a mother of three ‘twenties’(late teens early twenties) children, I still have quite a few kids that feel the need to visit often to see their friends and I am ‘mom’. A strange mom, and yet they say that they feel comfortable at my house. I cook big meals and feed the neighborhood as needed. I also scold them for some of the silly things that they admit they probably shouldn’t have done. They play football, climb the pear tree in the back yard and play video games, watch movies or play a game of cards or domino’s in the garage.

With spring just passing, I was able to watch my roses bloom, in their new location. One day when I went past, I stopped to admire the roses and a Zebra Swallow tail butterfly landed on one. It was a ‘Kodak moment’ and wouldn’t you know it, I didn’t have a camera. It did make me smile. The humming birds are buzzing us when we go outside they are not happy with us. I do not have a feeder up and they let me know they DO NOT approve of only the Honey Suckles on the back fence for dinner. I’m not sure I want to fight the wasps off to make them approve though.

Summer is almost here – in Texas that means we have had a few days of Ninety-degree weather and we are all ready for swimming season to be here. It is the edge of the season where, it is tempting until you dip your toes in the water and get a chilly surprise. We have also began the battle of the yard, where you mow, mow, mow and mow some more. I did find out the other day that I have grapes growing on my back fence! Isn’t that GREAT? I thought it was really Cool/Awesome/RAD! The only thing that scares me a little bit is with all the vines over the fence if I ever take them off, and I don’t imagine I will, then the fence will need replaced.

Our dog Duke, (yes Duke – like the bushes baked beans dog he is a golden retriever) loves the yard he is finally able to run play fetch without being on a chain. He is spoiled. He is in and out, most of the time in. We go out and play ball with him several times a day. It’s not bad once you get the slobbery ball out of his mouth. He has gone from a golden ball of lard to an actual dog. He is much happier and healthier.

Oh and who can forget the Cats, Patches, the stray – fixed momma kitty, we saved and Blitz the silly adolescent cat. They have not officially met; one stays in the house the other in the garage. Not to worry though Patches is in the climate-controlled garage. They talk through the door. I’m just not so sure that they would be pleased with each other face to face. Patches was a scrapper in her day though lately she is looking a little ragged. She is used to being outside and doing whatever she wanted. With the move, she came inside. I did not want her to run off. I think she likes it. She seems content.

So, now you have had a taste of home. Speaking of taste, I hope you are getting enough to eat. I know that it is probably difficult at times. I am thinking of you. I know you’re out there protecting me and what I hold dear. That makes YOU one of those things in my book. Anyone who is prepared to do battle for me has my whole heart. So know that a ‘mom’ over here is thinking about you and is VERY proud of you and the job your doing, no matter what it might be, because some of the most important jobs are the ones we think of the least.

With Love,
‘A mom’