It is difficult for me to write about anything uplifting this morning as I listen to the news this morning. The families of hostages taken from Israel are pleading for their loved ones’ return. A son-a happy, caring young man; a 66 year old mom; a mother-a nurse; an army son serving on the border of Gaza-MIA-POW; towns destroyed; son in Gaza-35 yo husband and father of two and one on the way.

There are other heart-wrenching barbaric stories about children, grandparents, and parents taken by these evil terrorists.

Hundreds of evil Hamas crossed the border from Gaza to Israel with only one goal: to kill, mame, and destroy civilian life on the border. They took over 100 hostages and murdered over 1000 people in Israel. They committed terrible atrocities.

My guess is that there are many in our nation experiencing pain, sadness, anger, and PTSD-type response as news of this war spreads. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to them and to the people in Israel who are experiencing this situation in person.

❤️

“We can’t choose whether or not we will be hurt, but we can choose whether or not we will heal.”

-Lloyd Newell

Walking past the popcorn and drinks and into the theater tonight, there was different feeling than when we we exited the theater after the movie was over. My husband and I were with two of our friends. There was a somewhat subdued happy feeling, as well as a feeling of anticipation, since all of us knew what the movie was about. Our arrival meant there were six people in the theater at that point. By the time the movie started, almost every chair was filled. It was interesting to note that there was not much joking or laughter from the audience prior to the beginning of the movie.

Two and a half hours passed in no time. I was absolutely riveted to the screen the entire two and a half hours. I found myself wanting to jump through the screen at one point and high-five the actor that played Tim, hug the little boy, and whisper to the girl that everything will be ok. Yet, deep down, I was filled with the sad realization that their lives will never be the same. Tears welled up in my eyes and my emotions spilled over. Not wanting to ruin the movie for anyone, I will just leave it at that.

Evil has a name. It is called child trafficking. It has got to stop! There is more illegal slavery in our world today than there was when slavery was legal. And, today, most of the slaves are children.

When the movie was over. The credits rolled and the music played. No one stood up to leave. Not. One. Person. It takes time to process the feelings this movie leaves you with…. Then…. HOPE.

GO. SEE. THIS. MOVIE! Take another adult with you: your mom, friend, sister, brother, son, daughter, spouse, dad, in-laws, or go alone, but just go!!

After the parade this morning, our grandson rode home with me so he could spend time with “Grammy and Papa”. Our 6-year-old grandson and I convinced (it didn’t take much) my husband to go with us down to Riverfest at Snake River Landing to meet our grandson’s mommy and daddy. We loaded my husband’s wheelchair into the back of the pickup, gathered up a few snacks and water, and headed down to find a parking spot as close as we could get to the festivities. Today was our lucky day. We were able to find a place to park in the public parking lot closest to the grassy area. We found a great place to set up our chairs and throw the blankets down near the food vendors, port-a-potty(s), and most importantly near the the bank where the fireworks would be shot off to explode in the night sky.

We saw 5 of our 6 grandchildren and two of our three daughters, who all gathered with us for a while. Our oldest granddaughter played gin-rummy with her grandpa, while daughter #2 talked and talked and talked. Daughter #3 is always patient and sweet and kind to let daughter #2 just talk on and on. I love hearing them talk about their lives and their families. It makes my heart happy.

The wind started to pick up as the clouds rolled in, and the air began to cool. We decided we better head home early since we parked in a dirt parking lot. We did not want to try to roll the wheelchair through the mud if it started to rain hard. I am watching out my front window as I type this and can see the wind blowing quite hard. I hope it does not stop the festivities for tonight for those young ones that can stay and play no matter what the weather is!

I hope you did something fun today with family and/or friends to celebrate Independence Day, one of my favorite holidays!