SIGHT

Without a doubt my favorite subject to teach my 3 teenagers  homeschoolers is History. When I began homeschooling 4 years ago, they absolutely disliked history. So I had to figure out a way to help them fall in love with history the way I did. However I cannot say that in jr. high or high school I cared about history at all, not even the History of our Great Nation. I just didn't see how it was relevant for me back then, what was in the past was in the past. 

As I sit here and type this, I feel such deep regret for not willing to learn the History of our nation all those years ago. All that changed back in 2004 when I began working at an Assisted Living facility. I came in contact with so many veterans of WWII. I consider it an honor being able to care for the men and women who had served in that war. 

There was one man in particular who changed my heart about history. His name was John. I loved John. As John and I became friends, he shared many stories with me about how he fought in the Battle of Normandy (also known as D- Day). This invasion played one of the biggest roles in World War II. It is said that it changed the course of the War, which America and the Allies went on to win. To think, John was there, he was apart of that!! John also shared with me how he lost his eyesight. He was in his tanker, and it struck a landmine. He didn't elaborate much on that, he was happy he survived D-Day. There were countless others who hadn't. 

My friend John was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. But the most impressive thing to me about John was that he had the entire 66 books of the Bible in Braille. I had never seen anything like that before in my life. This faithful man was not going to let anything get in the way of him getting into God's word, not even sight. 

Because of my friendship with John and other veterans that I cared for, I had such a new found respect for my county, our veterans, and for those who had given the ultimate sacrifice for Our Freedom. 

These stories I lovingly share with my children so they will know how deeply important days like Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, and Veterans Day truly are. So that when they see our flag waving in the air, they will know what people did and gave, for that to be so. So that they will know that our History is not just something we read about, that it shaped who we are as a nation, as a people. 

Thank you John for showing a young girl what it means to be honorable, and dedicated. To let nothing stop you from delving into God's word. Thank you to all of those who've faithfully served in our Military, and thank you to your families who endure your absence time after time while you're working for us. Thank you to those who gave their all so that we might be a Free Nation Under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All. 

God Bless Family