Thanks Gigi

I hope you get the chance to hear the speech.

My son will be coming home on leave before he's deployed - coming home to celebrate my birthday with me. I can't think of a better present for me. Whadda guy, huh?

I'm thankful in this day and age to have access to cell phones and computers to keep in touch, but NOTHING can replace the feeling of a real live hug. As a mother, it's also important to take an occasional look in their eyes (so to speak) to see how they're doing - hard to do over the phone or by computer.

I can't imagine the worry past mothers/fathers of soldiers in war felt, having to rely on "snail mail" and no word for long periods of time. My own mother lost contact with my father for a lengthy period of time during WWII - they couldn't find his ship. Obviously, it was found - or I wouldn't be here.

I feel the same way (nothing beats looking in the eyes to make sure all is OK), but mine is just a way at college. I can't imagine what it is like for the parents of our soldiers.

I thank God that we have young people who are willing to voluntarily serve their country. Give him a big hug from us as well.

Enjoy your time together

I'm all Irish. Dad's side was Catholic. Mom was Protestant and converted before they married.

Dad's mom never approved, but the rest of his family came around - his sister and brother were wonderful.

My paternal grandmother never once hugged me.

Just goes to show you, if every human being on the planet were exactly the same color, the same race, height, had the same hair nose and eyes, they'd STILL find a reason to hate each other.

My mother taught us to behave better than that.

There you go, Braingonebad. Kids need hugs from ALL their grandparents. It really sucks when outside forces divide families and communities. If your grandmother is no longer with you, I'll bet she's been up there in heaven smacking her forehead for not hugging you when she had the chance. If she's still with you, sneak up behind her and give her a kiss on the cheek - just watch out for flying fists.

I get so tired of racism and discrimination - and anyone (black, white, male, female......) can be a victim.

We're all the same race - the HUMAN RACE. Why can't people just live and let live?? Life is so short - why waste time being hateful.

LOL, Herekitty - doncha just want to grab them by the ears and say "Why can't you see I'm HUMAN?!?"

Asking people to let go of racial hatred is easier said than done though - hasn't worked for me when confronting skinheads, even when I've asked very nicely. It's rooted in fear and anger, and it causes pain - on all sides of the fence, inside and out. It's a wound we've all had for centuries. I think the only way to move beyond our racial divisions, create REAL harmony, and promote healing would be to acknowledge and address these issues in a real and sincere way - rather than sweeping them under the rug or placing an infected Band-Aid on the wounds.

I love my country just as much as any person who wraps themselves in an American flag. I love hot dogs and apple pie as much as anyone else. I'll even fight for my country, if need be. I worry so much about the crumbling infrastructure of our country and the welfare of all our people. I truly wish we could see beyond our differences and find a way to all come together. We need each other.

I agree. I will just never understand the hatred some people have in their hearts. I've tried very hard to raise my boys up to be tolerant and accepting of people who may have different beliefs and backgrounds. Just as someone else may seem "different" to them - they seem "different" to someone else. Whether it's religion, politics, lifestyle, whatever the difference is - we are all still human beings with feelings and emotions. To knowingly hurt some elses feelings is just wrong. Sure, we all do things we don't mean to or say things that come out wrong. To err is human. To do it purposely for the sole intent of hurting someone else is wrong. No matter how you look at it.

Can't we all just get along?

Well, people who are hateful have to live with themselves. They stew in their own rotten juices, steaming over all the rest of us, sick just because we are here.


I suppose that is pretty good punishment.



Kathy - that grandmother died when I was 24, and I never really knew she was my grandma till they told me she had died.

I felt an odd sort of loss, and more so when my own grandaughter was born.


but then I was lucky I had my other grandma, and *adopted* my best friend's Granny as my own, as well.


Who says you can't pick your family? I do it all the time. Another thing I learned from Mom.

Granny was one of the best people I ever met. And that's why I insist my DGD calls me Granny. So now ya know.

Good for you, Braingonebad. I never got to have a grandmother of my own. My maternal grandmother loved me very much, but I don't remember her - she died when I was 2. My paternal grandmother died before I was born. I had a Danish step-grandmother, but she didn't speak English and I can't speak Danish.

I always envied kids who had grandparents in their lives - even the ones with ornery grandparents. At the very least, the ornery ones were good for a laugh - and they kept my friends humble.

Your son does not deserve that type of treatment. I am a mother of two and know how much you must be hurting. Trust in how you raised your son to be strong and proud. Trust that all the values you instilled into him follow him everywhere he goes. Any and all types of negativity he has ever experienced only makes him stronger. Hugs to you and congrats on your boy coming home! Give him a hug from a retired military wife and soldier will you? :-)