Wednesday, November 23, 2005

One of the Many Things I am Thankful For

As families sit down to their Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow my son in law will be patrolling in Iraq. He won't be sitting down with his wife, son, and daughter. He won't be at his mom's table this year or watching football with his younger brother. Brian is on his second tour in Iraq and is making sure his soldiers have a Thanksgiving dinner and keeps their spirits up. If Brian sees a soldier doesn't get mail he lets Megan know and she passes the soldiers address on to members of the family. The soldier gets mail (sometimes too much). Brian makes sure they get care packages like everyone else. He shares his play station, electronic dartboard, DVD's and anything else he has there to make sure his soldiers don't get too homesick. Brian has had to see and do things that we could never imagine yet he always stay happy when talking with you. He told us funny stories of his first tour when he came home so he could ease our worry about him. He made sure he brought gifts for all of us and made each family member feel special when he thanked us for writing and sending packages. Brian loves his family very much and will be getting out of the army when he returns home this time. That doesn't stop him from giving his all while he is still in Iraq. He isn't complaining about being away from home for Thanksgiving and Christmas because he is too busy doing his job and making sure his soldiers are handling the holidays okay. So Brian when I give thanks for all God has blessed me with. I am going to put you at the top of the list. I am thankful my daughter has you for a husband. I am thankful Quintin and Gabby have you for a dad. I am thankful your soldiers have you to watch out for them. I am thankful that you are always there when I need you. I am thankful you are my son in law. Happy Thanksgiving Brian! We will celebrate again when you get home.

13 comments:

Kimberly said...

What a beautiful tribute! Happy Thanksgiving Peggy:)

Mrs. Darling said...

And to think that this many years after the first Thanksgiving we're still defending our freedom. God bless the young men and women who are still fighting. Hapy Thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

Please tel your daughter thank you for giving us her husband to serve.. and make sure you give your SIL a big thank you from all of us here in Oxford...
happy Thanksgiving...
Lea

Anonymous said...

Wow. Thank you for such a wonderful Thanksgiving tribute. It makes me realize just how lucky I am.

I loved the 42 pound turkey story too.

Amy said...

that is such a nice caring thing to do for the soldiers, I'm sure they appreciate it.

Tee/Tracy said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes, Peggy. You're obviously such a pround mother-in-law, and just reading this and seeing the photos made me proud too.

I have no one in my family, or even friends, who are in the military so I need reminders like this - to make it real. These are real people with real families and there will be real seats empty at the dinner table tomorrow - some just for this year... some forever.

Happy Thanksgiving to Brian and for all of those serving. We haven't forgotten you and our prayers are with you. May God bless and protect you. Thank you.

Tom Scepaniak said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Peggy. And a special thank you to Brian and his family. God Bless.

Maggie Ann said...

Peggy, after that wonderful tribute, I have no words to say but Thankyou God, for such a man to stand in the gap for America and for freedom! May he get home soon. And....Happy Thanksgiving Peggy, to you and William...I am thankful to have 'met' you!...you are a big blessing to me.

eyes_only4him said...

what a wonderful post!!!

Hope he gets home real soon..

Thanks fo stopping by..please come back again..and I will do the same..

Happy Thanksgiving:-)

Perri said...

Peggy, praying with you for all our servicemen and women. Brian is a fortunate man to have a mother in law who respects him so much. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Kali said...

Dear Peggy ~ What a lovely post in honour of your son-in-law Brian...it has me in tears. I hope he is back with his loving wife and family really soon.

p.s. Big ThankYou for the Thanksgiving postcard ~ it is beautiful *HUGS*

HomemakerAng said...

HI PEGGY! dont worry, we will not forget about your son-in-law and all the soldiers for that matter! We are so proud of all of them! We will be thinking also of you daughter. She is strong too, doing this here at home on her own! Our blessings and prayer to her and her children who miss their daddy!
Homemakerang

Judypatooote said...

Thanksgiving<>Givingthanks...... I tend to tune out the war, because it scares me to death....but it takes this wonderful tribute to your son in law to wake me up...I do so appreciate what all the Service Men are doing to protect us. I will keep Brian in my prayers....Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family....Givingthanks to Brian...