New Quote to Remember

Give your troubles to God...
He's going to be up all night anyway!

Diane Louise Cilenti
Dec 1949 - June 2006

Sacrifices Made For Us

Last Saturday we were privileged to take part in the motorcycle escort for a very special Indian funeral for a non-Indian. Her name you would not know but she was an employee of the Veteran's Administration and worked as a Veteran's Service Officer helping veterans file their claims and obtain benefits. She worked several days a week out of a small office near the Grand Ronde headquarters for the local indian tribe and veterans in the surrounding area. The tribal members had given her a special honor of an indian name...Laughing Eyes. The pictures told the story of a vibrant 57 year old woman who had lived life to the fullest but was taken "before her time".

The love filled the room as her friends and acquaintances poured in to show their respect. She was one who had mothered and nurtured all she met. They said she had a little special "dance" she would do whenever she was successful in helping another veteran obtain the benefits that were due to him.

The casket was open when we arrived and it was such a moving scene as each disabled veteran approached her coffin to pay their respect. Many were in wheel chairs, on crutches and bore the scars of their service to our country. As I viewed the picture boards which portrayed the highlights of her life, people kept stopping by the squeeze a special little squealing pig that laughed and laughed. Evidently it was her favorite and a symbol of her joy of life. One veteran approached in his wheel chair with tears in his eyes..."I can't believe they put that out"...it seems he was the one who had given her that pig as a gift. He was truly blessed to see it there.

The Indian tribal members choked back the tears as they attempted to express what a difference she had made in the lives of their veterans. The benefits she helped them obtain had a ripple effect in the benefit to the lives of their families and their families families. Especially in the Indian community this is valued very highly.

Toward the end of the ceremony, they asked all the veterans to come down and form a double line around the gymnasium. WOW, probably at least 70% of the crowd were veterans. They stood in attention and saluted as TAPS was played in honor of this special lady. There was not a dry eye in the crowd.

What a wonderful example this woman had set in her dedication in helping others, and veterans in particular. I was truly inspired to do more and wish to pass on to you this inspiration.

Reach out to a veteran where you are and do whatever you can to help them. They have done so much for our country...and continue to do so much for us.

Express your thanks and support, year round...not just on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day. It is greatly appreciated.

OK I'll get off my soap box now...before I fall off!

Linda

Motto to share

Twenty years from now you will be

more disappointed by the things

that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream.

Discover.~

Mark Twain

There's No Place Like Home

Yes, we succeeded in outrunning the dragon and made it to the Oregon coast and our little house. Yesterday was unpack the motor home day. I had forgotten how much stuff we had taken along. It was nice to have so many changes of clothes so we did not have to live at the laundromat but it is a hastle to pack and unpack. Also had several items along "just in case" and did not need them...but sure as shooting if we did not have them...then we would have needed them.

Today we spent most of the morning washing the outside of the motor home. After sitting for over a month in the Arizona sun and heat, it was really dirty and dusty. At least we can wash it here and not worry that the windshield is too hot to spray water on...HA...not an issue here...we even had a bit of rain today. I love every minute of it.

We finished our coach washing early enough to fit in a short nap, sidecar ride and pulling weeds in the back yard. Very productive day indeed.

Another day or so of putting things away and I will feel settled again. Anxious to start sending out more dog tag inquiry letters but have to wait while new stationery is being printed with the new TOP office address on it. The calls and e-mail replies continue to come in at a very comfortable pace. I love the warm fuzzies when they express their appreciation for us finding them and returning the dog tag to the family.

Take care...Linda