A Letter from Home

Dear Supporter of my Freedom,

I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to send a word from home. I know I speak for all of my friends and family when I say thank you for giving all that you do to allow us to feel safe when we put our heads on our pillows at night, knowing that so many men and women like you are out there serving and giving more of yourselves that we, the protected, could ever imagine. I am writing this letter in response to a contest on a writing Website to which I belong – to which I am able to belong, and throw my thoughts out for the world to see – because people like you are helping me to stay in a free country where I can say what I think and do what I feel is right. Thank you.

Before you continue with this letter, let me tell you that, while I have a deeply hidden serious side, I’m a bit of a ham and have what I’m told is an odd sense of humor. Because I think that everyone can use a laugh from time to time, especially in a stressful situation (as I’m sure I can’t even imagine yours is), I will not hold back in incorporating some of that here. I hope you don’t mind, and please know that I pray for folks such as yourself a safe return home and I praise you for all that you do. You, truly, are my hero.

In Northern Wisconsin, where I live, fishing season is opening. The ice has just gone off the lakes and we had 16 inches of snow fall about two weeks ago, but fishing season is opening nonetheless. The trees are just starting to show their leaves, bringing us those vibrant bright green colors of a new spring that cameras can never properly catch. For me, spring is a time of new beginnings. I wish it could be so for the world. I wish that ideologies could mesh together and learn to live in peace with one another. In an ideal world, I would like to see every defender of freedom, such as you, retired and taken care of for life. If I had one wish for the wonderment of spring this year, that would be it.

Last weekend I fished a bass tournament. We had a high of 43 degrees and the wind blew about 20-30 mph for most of the day. The light rain in the afternoon was an exceptional treat! But, seriously, it was still a day on the water – and any day on the water is better than working. Well, other than the fact that my work is in a dry, warm building…. But I digress. We were able to catch some fish, so at least I have some points toward Angler of the Year for my fishing club.

In other news from home, I will turn to sports: We’re still unsure if there will be an NFL season this fall. Actually, I’m not entirely sure how many people actually care about that at this point. Number one, there are bigger issues in the world, and Number two, they all get paid WAY too much to play a game that should be played for fun, for the love of the game, and in the spirit of competition. Of course, it’s turned into something completely different than that, but it would be nice to see it be that way again. All I can say is that I hope we don’t get another Arena Football League out of the whole deal. They might as well play every game at Wrigley field!

Speaking of Wrigley: The Cubs seem to be on pace to beat all statistical odds and, of course, not get the pennant again this year. Yes, I live in Wisconsin, but I’ve been a Cubbies fan for a long time. It’s not like the Brewers really give me a lot to cheer about, either. Silly baseball.

In motorsports, Kyle Busch is still an incredible driver. Personally I can’t stand the guy – but I can’t say he’s not one of the best out there. Can you imagine owning your own race team, driving in three different, major series, and dominating most every time you’re out on the track: and only being 25 years old. It’s crazy. He’s on probation right now, though. Wait. I think half of the field is on probation. The “boys have at it” mentality that NASCAR wants to have has made for some interesting rivalries. Busch got into it a few times on the track with Kevin Harvick a couple races ago. After the race, Harvick got out of his car and went to Busch’s car (they were both entering pit road at the time). Rather than have a confrontation, Busch pushed Harvick’s empty car down pit road and into the wall. That will be pretty expensive to fix. There's a bit more of that going on, too, and I'm sure more to come this season. What better way to pass a Sunday then watching guys wreck each other's race cars and then beat each other up? Well, besides sleeping through a Cubs game.

In the NHRA, John Force (and you may know this if you follow the sport) is driving his daughter Ashley’s car this year. When she got married a few of us had a discussion where I was the dissenting opinion and said that now she was going to want to have kids and would have to miss a year at least. I was told that there was no way I could be right. “She’s a racer, and that’s what she’s focused on. She’s a professional,” I was told. You know, I’m not one to gloat or anything…. But when the hubby is finally wrong once in a while, it’s amazing to give him as much grief about it as he normally gives me. So, it’s my turn on this one. John hasn’t won a race yet this year, but he’s a 15-time champ. His day is coming.

We just launched the last space shuttle into space this week. I’m sure you know that, but it’s something of interest to me, so I wanted to add it. It’s the end of an era there. I remember being in school and everyone gathering in the hallways to watch one of the 3 TVs in the school when the first shuttle landed. I was in grade school and we thought it was the most amazing thing in the world. Looking back, I guess it was at the time. Now, it’s an antiquated technology whose time has passed.

You may also know that Donald Trump put in an election bid. He pulled out again, though, saying he had no interest in running for president at this time. Oddly, at about the same time, Newt Gingrich decided to throw his hair – er, hat, in the ring. I think Trump got scared off by the fact that someone might have better hair than him. He just didn’t think he could compete.

Gas prices in my small town finally dipped below the $4 per gallon mark today. I was so excited I almost wanted to pay for the guy’s gas at the next pump, too. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of the gas station getting it so cheap. Yeah, that’s a total lie. But, by this time of this letter, I think you probably understand my humor by now.

In the land of infomercials, you’ll be happy to know that you can still buy a fake $2 bill for only $19.95 (and if you act now, you might even get two, but remember quantities are limited). And, the pasta tube is still available for those who insist on cooking but are too inept to boil water and use a colander to drain the noodles. Thank God for innovation!

Truly, though, thank God for you and all of the other people like you, who are out there fighting for our freedom to invent anything and everything to save the general public from having to deal with any shortcomings they may have. We pray for your safe return and we pray for your families while you are away. It’s because of people like you that we, the American citizens, protected and safe at home, can sometimes set aside out petty differences and reach out to those who need us and who need support. We can see beyond differences and realize that we are all human and have the same wants, needs and desires. We want our family all at home, safe under one roof.

God’s speed and prayers for your safe return,
An American citizen