Gratitude # 5

I am grateful for freedom, and for the people who fight for this freedom. Some close to me who have severed are my Mom, and Army nurse during WWII, and my son-in-law and nephew who were in Afghanistan.  I am especially grateful for those you gave their all for the freedoms we have.  As well as for their families that were robbed of a loved one.  As well as those who suffer many hardships because of their service to us and this country. 

I think we forget how important freedom is since we have never not had it in our life time. I did grow up in a time where I have seen people cross 90 miles of open water in a craft I wouldn't sit in if I was 10 feet from the coast line.  Why did they risk so much? To be free.  What are we willing to do to maintain this freedom? 

Grandma Minnie on the right

Here is a family story of my Maternal Grandmother from cousin.

Oh - I remember my Dad telling me this story about Minnie that you will appreciate - she campaigned for the women's vote, and participated in suffragette marches. When women finally got the right to vote and she went to the polls for the first time, she was told she couldn't vote because she was married to a non-citizen, thus was ineligible. She was furious, because SHE was born here! Now I never heard if that was simply the law at the time or if it was mix up, but I know that since hearing that story I can't miss voting because it makes feel guilty. Even if there isn't anyone to vote for, I gotta go because I feel like it honors her and all the work she and others who came first did for us.

I also vote in every election, I always think of it as my right and privilege for being a citizen. Now I know it was very important to my ancestors as well. My grandmother was the first one in her family to be born in this country. Her parents and all her siblings were born in Germany.