Monday, May 30, 2011

A Little Girl's Hero

Today is Memorial Day.  I am so very grateful for those that have given their lives for our freedom.  When I was a child my Dad was in the Marine Corps.  I remember him coming home from one of 3 tours in Vietnam and wishing he could stay forever.  When he left, I tried giving him a kiss for every day he'd be gone from me, and my Mom had to pry me from his neck as he left with tears in his eyes.
When I was older my Dad was stationed in Morocco and was able to take my Mom, my sister, and me with him.  It was a fascinating place for a young girl. This was one of my favorite times in my childhood because I was able to see my Dad almost every single day. I had short hair and could pass for a boy which was quite advantageous in a Muslim country.  My dad would take me on trips with him and his friend (whom I found out later was the King of the Berber tribe).  The Berber King was a very nice man in the eyes of a child.  However, as much as I enjoyed being with my Dad it wasn't hard to miss the lack of freedom women and girls had back then in Morocco.  My Mom took my sister and I to a rug factory where there were kids younger than I was and they were working from morning to night. Not all kids could go to school.

The poverty was almost unbearable to see. Even as a child my heart would break for the Moroccan kids who didn't have much.  While hunting with my Dad & the Berber King, we frequently were treated to meals by some of the locals.  They lived in mud huts with tin roofs. The cooked in mud ovens outside. The water was not clean. Yet, they fed us a feast.  Their hospitality was amazing.

Living in Morocco made me appreciate what I had in the U.S..  I am so grateful for the experience because it made me appreciate EVERYTHING I have. I know Morocco is a different, more advanced country now and I'm glad. I would love to go back and visit but I will always live in these great United States of America. Where we have a democracy, not a dictator. Where people can work hard and achieve the american dream. Where there is freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, etc.  We have clean water, representatives in government, and military personnel willing to die to maintain our freedom. 

God bless America!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Moms Make Life an Adventure!

My mom will be 80 years old this month. She's a wonderful lady who has done a lot in her lifetime.  Everything is an adventure to her, good or bad. She never lets life get her down and she is always encouraging everyone around her to do something new and exciting. She knows how to laugh deeply and often. She doesn't let the little or big things get her down.  Even though my mom  lives in CA and I live in WY we are able to keep in touch.  I call my mom at least twice a week.  I call her about ordinary, mundane, everyday things, and she's the first one I want to talk to when something exciting or upsetting happens.  She's my mom and I love her.

Mother's Day is this Sunday.  If you are able to, make sure you let your mom know how much she means to you.  A homemade card, a big hug, or a simple telephone call will be appreciated I'm sure.  I sent my mom a Twine Gift Basket from Bare Body Soaps to let her know I'm thinking of her.  Of course that is one of the perks of being the owner.  :)  I happen to be a mom of 9 kids. One of my favorite Mother's Day gifts was when my then teenage kids made me breakfast and put wildflowers in a vase for the table.  It was great!

We at Bare Body Soaps appreciate all that moms do for their families so we encourage you to do something nice for your mom this Sunday. 



My Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there.  :)