Land of the Free Because of the Brave

Recently there has been press coverage of a certain NFL football player who refused to stand during the National Anthem. I really normally try to stay out of issues like this because I don't like "stirring the pot", but when I was standing in our school's chapel service today singing the "Star-Spangled Banner", I really felt moved to say something.

Freedom

Let me begin by saying that I think it is important to stand up for your beliefs. If you have something that you are passionate about, then by all means, fight for it. Colin Kaepernick has an issue that he feels is worth fighting for, and that is commendable. Colin Kaepernick also has the freedom guaranteed to him by the first amendment to speak or protest freely about his issues.

The funny thing about freedom is that it isn't really free (insert Team America lyrics here). We live in a country that allows people to voice their opinions because people died fighting under the very flag that Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand beneath. If you are a Kaepernick supporter, your heart rate is probably rising right now, but please hear me out.

Sacrifice

Have you ever heard the background story of the "Star-Spangled Banner"? I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently heard the story, and it is definitely a story worth hearing.

Francis Scott Key was a lawyer during the War of 1812 between the colonists and Britain. He was making negotiations with the British and was successful in convincing them to exchange prisoners on a one for one basis. The only problem was that the British were planning an immediate attack on Fort McHenry as long as the American flag still flew. The prisoners were to remain on the ship until the British gained control. The British gave the colonists an ultimatum that if they lowered the American flag, the British would cease fire and take control.

From their ship, they watched the British pummel Fort McHenry from the water for hours and hours that night. They knew that the goal of the British was to destroy the American flag and with it the morale of the colonists, so their prayer was that the flag would still be standing the next morning. So by the dawn's early light, the flag that they had been praying for since the twilight's last gleaming was still there. And do you know what was holding up that flag? Men. Human beings. As the British blasted Fort McHenry, the flag started to fall. As soon as it would fall, American soldiers would run to hold it up. When that soldier was shot, another would grab it, and another, and another. So many men ran to hold up that flag that by the time the battle was over the flag was held up by all of the men who had died to protect it. (Full story here)

I could go on about the sacrifices made in this battle, or about brave soldiers such as Medal of Honor recipient PFC Harold Agerholm who was killed in action after singlehandedly evacuating 45 soldiers in the Pacific, or about Petty Officer Second Class Michael Monsoor who jumped on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life for his fellow Navy Seals and posthumously receiving the medal of honor. I could go on, but I have a point to make.

Honor

Colin Kaepernick has issues that he feels strongly about. He wants to stand up (not literally) in a public way to defend something he is passionate about. That is commendable. What he has to remember is that without the sacrifice given by those who fought under that flag, there might not have been a first amendment created to protect his freedom of speech.

Before a football game, there are about two minutes dedicated to honoring our country. During those two minutes, Americans place their right hands over their hearts as a way to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. American flags are always displayed during those two minutes to instill a sense of national pride for our country and to honor those who have died defending it. Whether or not you agree with the current President's politics, or with the law that was passed yesterday, or with the people who are running for president, you have a duty as an American citizen to stand for two minutes and honor those who have given their lives to give you your freedom. 

There are 1,438 other minutes in the day to exercise your first amendment rights.


I'm going to leave you with a quote from Calvin Coolidge that I think sums everything up nicely:

“We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth, peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home. . .But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.”

To a Teacher, from a Teacher: Please Love My Nephews

I'm not a mommy (yet). That is something that will probably happen in the near future.
I'm not a mommy, but I am an aunt.

I am an aunt to two sweet little girls and three precious little boys. Two of these little boys start Kindergarten this week, (and one starts preschool) and I have a lot of feelings. My best idea for channeling those feelings is to write an open letter to their teachers. Here goes nothin'...

Dear Parker, Thomas, and Jameson's Teachers,

Happy first day of school! This is a day full of excitement and nerves, anticipation and anxiety. You are welcoming a sweet little mob of loving and dependent children into your room, and I admire you. I know it may seem unusual to be getting a letter from an aunt. You have probably gotten letters from moms, maybe dads, but never aunts. I promise that I'm not crazy - I'm just crazy about these kids and I have some things to share with you that might help you through the tough times.

Parker and Thomas were born when I was a senior in college. I was finished with student teaching and had a lot of spare time, so I spent a good deal of it with these two boys in their first months of life. In fact, I lived with my brother and sister-in-law when Parker was a newborn. I got a good glimpse into what motherhood is like - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also forged a bond with these two boys that can never be broken. I held them when they cried, I changed their diapers, and I applied Boudreaux's Butt Paste when needed.  I snuggled and cooed with them, I posted way too many pictures of them on Facebook, and I talked about them incessantly to anyone who would listen.

Jameson came a few years later and has the biggest personality. I first met him when he was a few days old, and it was the first time that my now husband met my family. Jameson is a ham and a snuggle-bug and a force to be reckoned with. He turns three tomorrow and still has us all wrapped around his little finger.

So why am I telling you this?

Because I want you to see them the way that I see them. These boys will probably misbehave in your class. You may get frustrated with them from time to time; I get it. I taught 5th grade boys in a self-contained classroom for four years, so believe me, I get it. But during those times when I was out of patience and teetering towards the edge, the best thing I could think to do was to see my students through the eyes of their parents, aunts, grandparents, etc.

When you are exhausted from lesson planning and you see Thomas give in to his emotions over reason, I want you to picture him as a two-year-old making his whole family laugh by referring to himself as "T-bone".

When you have finally convinced all of the kids to start on a project and Parker still needs more convincing, I want you to picture him as a one-year-old when the only word he could say was "twactor".

When you have gotten all of the kids cleaned up after snack time and Jameson still insists on eating more fruit snacks, I want you to picture him toddling down the street dressed as Marshall from Paw Patrol and saying, "Happy Halloween now!"

When you are at your wit's end and just cannot get them to calm down, I want you to picture Parker and Thomas snuggling together after a long morning of splashing around in the pool at their grandma's.

You have the hardest job in the world. You have to be patient, understanding, nurturing, firm, and loving to kids who aren't your own. You have to teach them math, reading, writing, manners, life skills, responsibility....and on and on. You are a jack of all trades. You are their "school mommy". You always have to be on, available, and politically correct. You have to deal with their crazy parents (and aunts!). You have this great responsibility that you do not take lightly, and I am so grateful to you.

So good luck this year. You will be in my prayers.
Thank you for loving these boys as I have.

Sincerely,

Parker, Thomas, and Jamo's Aunt Becca