So Grateful

that we live here. Brian took this shot early today while I was still snoozing away.

So grateful that my mom celebrated her birthday today! It's hard to believe it was a year ago that she received the scary diagnois of breast cancer. My mind boggles at all she has endured and accomplished this year, with the greatest attitude through it all. I know great things are ahead for her!

So grateful to all the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country in the military, especially my father who served in the US Army even before he was a US citizen,

my brother John who served in the US Army,

my sister Elizabeth who has served our country for over  a decade in the US Air Force,

my brother Martin, who served in the US Army, (somehow it seems entirely appropriate that I don't have a photo of Martin in uniform on my computer),

and my youngest brother Kevin, who is currently in the ROTC Navy.

I never think of us as a military family. A political family, yes. A debate-loving, book-crazy, movie-obsessed, fast talking, big Irish family, yes. And yet my dad's life is the story of the American Dream come true. How could we not be patriotic? I am grateful that we received patriotism hand in hand with an appreciation for a larger world view, with an emphasis on education and on service. With that in mind, it is no surprise that four of my siblings chose to serve our country in the military.

"Real heroes teach us that true freedom is to be found in faithfulness, responsibility, love, justice, and liberation from exploitation." -Elizabeth Groppe

May all the families with service men and women currently overseas soon feel the relief of knowing their loved ones are home and safe again.