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American Squirrels Tuesday, Nov. 05, 2002 | 7:51 pm Squirrelly, squirrelly, squirrelly. That says it all for life in the nut tree today! Everyone was noisy, chatty and jumpy. I wonder if it was because the fate of the free world and the nation rests in the hands of the voters this very day. I wonder if they knew that important ballot decisions would be made and candidates would be chosen to guide their very lives. I wonder if they knew that "teacher" was voting for a long, long list of judges that might very well come back to menace them when, down the road, they begin to drive, and get pulled over for speeding? I wonder if they knew they were the luckiest children in the world today because their parents got to vote, decide, and make a choice, say yes or no, without fear of repercussion or retribution. I wonder if all the 21 sets of parents of the 21 little squirrels took that great opportunity to vote, and then went home to their lovely freedom, and told their little squirrel that they were the luckiest little squirrel on the planet, because they will also, someday, get the chance to vote, to make a choice, help decide, say yes or no to how their lives will be played out? I wonder if they did that today? I wonder if that is why they were so squirrelly? Yes folks..I am patriotic through and through, and am nor ashamed to say so. After all, I did arrange to give birth to my first child on THE FOURTH OF JULY! What a fire-cracker day that was! Again, let me reiterate- You never forget the pain of child birth. But, back to the good old red, white and blue... I think the reason I feel so deeply about America is because my father died in the service of America. He, of all people, suffered longer than most. My father-in-law served four years in Burma during WWII, as a cipher specialist. He was often in grave danger. My uncle flew in the bellies of countless bombers over Germany, photographing all that took place, so we would not soon forget. He was never the same. My mother worked for four years in a munitions factory, doing her part, as she watched all her dear ones leave to serve their country. Some of those friends and loved ones, never to return. I wonder how they were able to sacrifice their time, youth and hope in service for me? I think it is because they could see beyond their own sphere. They looked outward and beyond, to we, the future, and could see there was no other way. Many of that greatest generation were used to hardships and were prepared in deep ways to go forward, sometimes haltingly, but still forward, and accomplish what had to be done. I think of myself. I live in a sheltered cocoon, thanks in part to them. I wonder if I am made of that same fiber, with strength to withstand unpleasant hardship? I haven�t often had to sacrifice, in a meaningful way, much of anything. I can never remember being hungry, in danger, in want of necessities, or unable to have at hand the resources to better my situation. I have not lived in luxury, but I have not wanted. I can only hope, that if required to do so, I will be able to see beyond my sphere to the broader horizon, and serve as well. catsnapples~ in first grade and at life ___________________________________________
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