Twelve things I am grateful for on the 12th

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  1. Texas
  2. Illinois
  3. Tennessee
  4. New York
  5. Georgia 
  6. Oklahoma
  7. Florida
  8. Wisconsin 
  9. Michigan 
  10. South Dakota 
  11. Nebraska
  12. Iowa

… And the other 30 states I have visited with Ron the past fifteen months. 

I am grateful for this country.

I am grateful that I am able to travel with my husband as he goes on business trips.

We are empty-nesters with a college gal staying at the house to take care of things. Because Ron drives rather than fly, it costs nothing for me to ride along, and hotel rooms are the same price for one or two people. We stay where breakfast is free, and I can eat fairly inexpensive lunches, so we splurge on a nice dinner once or twice a week. We travel a couple of weeks at a time then go home for a week or two.

I love traveling this way! We have seen beautiful things in each state and met wonderful people.

I help with driving, navigation, and whatever else he needs me to do. I spend days reading, walking, talking with friends, exploring and studying. Sometimes I help with business appointments. We try to find fun things to do on weekends.

Last weekend we were in Iowa. What does one do in Iowa? Political events, of course! Ron found out that some of the GOP candidates were going to be at “Joni’s Roast and Ride” just an hour from where we were staying. We arrived in time to have a great bbq pork lunch and meet some nice Iowans. Senator Ernst and other Iowa officials spoke then the GOP presidential candidates each spoke. They were also walking around, shaking hands, and speaking with folks.

There was very little security evident. I was able to get pictures of each of the candidates and stood close to all of them listening to what they had to say as common farmers, moms, dads, businessmen, and students asked questions. Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Mark Rubio, Lindsey Graham, Rick Perry, Scott Walker and Carley Fiorina were shaking hands, taking pictures, and answering questions. They did not turn away anyone wanting a selfie with them. Including me!

 

Selfie with Governor Scott Walker

 

We couldn’t help but think about how awesome our political system is. Everyday people asking questions of men and women running for office, one of whom may very well be our next president. Most of these candidates did not come from wealthy or powerful families; they came from working-class parents, single moms, immigrants. They are living the American Dream.

If you looked at AOL News last Sunday, we were shown in the video that went with the article titled “Motorcycles and puppies: GOP contenders face off in Iowa”. I’m not sure why they showed us out of the hundreds in attendance. Maybe because they caught on tape that we were from Texas and filmed Ron signing up for something at Rick Perry’s tent. Whatever the reason, it was fun to be in the news.

And no, I don’t know who I will vote for. I’m not sure if it will be any of the folks we heard on Saturday, but I am glad I went. If you live in America, I encourage you to learn about all the candidates – republican, democrat, Green Party, independent, whoever is running. Be an informed voter.  And VOTE! It is a privilege to live in this country and to participate in the political process. It matters.

The fact that we were part of this event on the 71st anniversary of D Day was not lost on us. Men and women have given their lives for us to have this type of freedom. I cherish it. I hope and pray you do as well.
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The Accident was on August 12, 2013. For months the 12th brought me to tears. Then, about a year later, I decided to choose gratitude and healing rather than sorrow. Thus “Twelve Things I am Thankful for on the 12th”.


KathleenBDuncan

I write about my life, my journey, my family, and my faith. I am wife to one, mom to seven with one in heaven, and grandmother to many. I am also full-time caregiver to my stepmom E who suffers from dementia due to Alzheimer’s. In my spare time I like to read, travel, crochet, bike, and play with our black pug Molly.

Comments (3)

  • Kathleen, with every post you can just see your growth. Your growth since The Accident. Experiencing new things that you never did with those you have lost allows us to keep living and fulfilling our lives … It makes me happy to see you are happy … and if I lived in America and I read this … I would certainly be voting! 🙂

    • My life has changed so much in the past few years! Not just Andrew’s death – I raised seven children and they have all left the house now, living elsewhere. I am biking and exercising more. I began intensely studying through Precept Ministries studies in 2012. That same year I started hang gliding! Last spring I completed16+ years of homeschooling!

      Our lives go through seasons.

      Even with sorrow, tragedy, and grief, we can LIVE and have joy, peace, contentment.

      New adventures are so fun!

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