Aunt Jeni and Memorial Day

When I needed to pick a confirmation sponsor, there was no doubt in my mind that I would pick my Aunt Jeni. There are actually quite a few funny stories from that day but I will tell them later, once I get my mother's permission. One of them is that I was actually confirmed as Jennifer Jenkins. The bishop asked who was the one getting confirmed and Jeni thought he had said who is "giving" (or whatever they say) her to be confirmed. She said Jennifer Jenkins and so I was confirmed as Jennifer Jenkins! In the end it all worked out but man, I tried so hard not to bust a gut as she said that. I can remember  walking back to the pew and her and I were laughing hysterically, which you really don't want to do in a Catholic church. It was one of the many, many funny memories I have with her. And don't worry I have plenty of them.

I have mentioned my Aunt Jeni a few times on this blog but I can't quite put the words together to tell her story. She was killed in a car accident in 2001. It was and still is one of the biggest things that I struggle with. I keep telling myself that there are good things that can and will come of this horrible accident. And trust me when I say that it took me a very long time to realize this. The relationship that I have with Brittni and Luke tops the list! I feel like the Mama bear when it comes to those two and I love them with everything I have. Organ donation is next on that list.
So this Memorial day, along with all the Veterans and those who are currently in the military I am going to remember her and all of those who have passed away. I will remember Grandma Mary and how she always had gum for us in her purse. I will remember Jack and his CHARMING personality and that huge smile of his!!

To all of my friends who have lost a loved one, I will remember them and will be thinking of you today!

And of course, Thank you to all those Veterans and Active Military Personnel for keeping us safe and making sure that we get to keep the freedoms that we have. 

Proud....

I think that I will let the lyrics from Toby Keith's song Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) do the talking! I love this song....

American girls and American guys, will always stand up and salute.
We'll always recognize, when we see ol' glory flying,
There's a lot of men dead,
So we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our heads.
My daddy served in the army where he lost his right eye,
But he flew a flag out in our yard 'til the day that he died.
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me.
To grow up and live happy in the land of the free.

Now this nation that I love is fallin' under attack.
A mighty sucker-punch came flying in from somewhere in the back.
Soon as we could see clearly through our big black eye,
Man, we lit up your world like the fourth of July.

Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list,
And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist.
And the eagle will fly and it's gonna be hell,
When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell.
And it'll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you.
Ah, brought to you, courtesy of the red, white and blue.

Oh, justice will be served and the battle will rage:
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage.
An' you'll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A.
'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way.

Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list,
And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist.
And the eagle will fly and it's gonna be hell,
When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell.
And it'll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you.
Ah, brought to you, courtesy of the red, white and blue.

Oh, oh.
Of the red, white and blue.
Oh, hey, oh.
Of my Red, White and Blue.