Humbled by my blessings in the face of Joplin and Memorial Day

Some days I find myself in a struggle with the details of life, what to do with the stacks of paper clutter, in a search for enough time to practice my music to honor the gift that God gave me.  Even the weeds that are taking over my flowers creep into my dreams and I get a sad shiver when seeing them out the window.  Then I pause to think about the thousands of people who wish they had a garden to weed, a stack of paper to look through, walls to be safe inside of and even someone they love sitting next to them.   Having grown up in Eastern Kansas and having seen several tornadoes during those earlier years(I was in the parking lot at the mall in Emporia when the tornado hit the mall in the 1970s.  It looked like the mall exploded), I’m especially moved by the loss of life and memories.  I think of  men and women we honor today, people who laid down their lives for the sake of my freedom.  I say “MY” freedom because I take that gift very personally.  They chose to fight for an end they may not have clearly understood.  They trusted in the motives of our government and put their hearts and more into what they gave.  Most of my patients know that I treat active duty military in my office at no cost to them.  It’s the least I can do for someone who has put themselves in a position to possibly die for me.  To those who have every right to be falter, but who are finding the feist to pull forward in the face of it all, you are in my prayers.  God Bless you and your families.   And I’ll try hard not to let the weeds get to me.