Patriotism, it's in the genes.

My mom could not have loved her country more. Daddy too, but Mom being the nurturer, taught us Patriotism 101 through post-grad school. Crazy since none of us graduated from college, if we even attended.  I can only speak for this particular Moore kid in this matter as I have not had much opportunity to observe my sibs as they taught their kids and so forth.
 I cannot remember the time line, but I do remember Julie was playing tee-ball  with the township recreation league and they walked in the North Hanover Memorial Day Parade. One year Monica rode in the back of a pickup truck and sang patriotic songs with Mrs. Nolan.  Eventually they each led Northern Burlington Regional's marching band along that route. And Andrew and Kelly followed in their footsteps.

I don't think the parade route is more than a mile and a half.  I recall all the participants would meet in the school parking lot, which was the end of the parade route. We were instructed to draw our attention to the municipal building where a ceremony would take place honoring service members who had died during wartime. The young marchers at this time would be released from their groups and handed over to their parents, or another responsible adult.  The township would have a sound system for the folks making speeches and announcements.

As I stood with my children, the two, three or four of them at any given time, trying to listen attentively, I was mortified, angered, frustrated; you get the picture.  We couldn't hear a word of what was being said. These responsible adults were not being very responsible.  Children were running around yelling at one another, adults were holding conversations with friends in their outside voices! Yes I know, we were outside, but the program deemed the respect of an inside program.

I understand the parade was 30 minutes of agonizing physical endurance. I understand that the free hotdogs cooking and waiting behind us were probably someone's only breakfast or lunch all week. But the ceremony was not more than a half-hour long, people!

I don't remember if I said anything aloud to anyone, but I did see a picture someone took of me and my children one year, and the look on my face and my body language said it all.  For the sake of not embarrassing me or my children, I'd like to say that I didn't speak out.

All that to say this. This first story I'm going to tell you displays my mom's patriotism and I remember it through the telling. As my mother liked to tell it, my sister, my mother and I were in a luncheonette, probably the one my mom worked in at the time.  Mom said the TV over the counter was tuned to a baseball game. Or maybe it was the radio, but the cute part of the story is still the same.  When the National Anthem came on at the beginning of the game my sister stood and made everyone else do the same.  Cute, huh? We'll I'm sure she would do the same thing today, maybe not as cute now.

This next story I remember by being there when I was about 10 years old. I know how old I was because we were at my cousin Nancy's high school graduation and she graduated exactly 10 years before I did. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Trenton and the ceremony was held in the War Memorial Building. It is now and was then a very large ornate auditorium.  I remember we were sitting on the ground floor, about center.

When the processional started from the rear of the auditorium, the color guard came first carrying the American flag.  So my mother stood, as did we children, cause when Mom stands or sits so did we.

Well, no others in the crowd were standing. At last not quickly enough for my mother. She looked around and said, in her not-so-nice, outside voice, "Stand up!! What's the matter with you people, don't you stand for your flag?"

I've never forgotten, obviously.  So you'll see me rising "pdq" when the National Anthem is played and when the flag passes by. Sometimes I have a problem getting out of our driveway. I find it difficult to sit still in my car, as I can see our flag flying overhead.  I may even pop up off of the couch as a Philly's game gets underway. "Oh, I'm just heading to the bathroom before the game starts!" as I blush red, white and blue. 

Finally got there!

Since Bill and I retired we have been traveling by car to see our daughter Julie and her family in Florida.  We have talked about stopping at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte NC on a leg of the journey.  One thing or another has kept us from doing that, until this last trip. Finally,.....

On Sunday, Nov. 4, we left Chattanooga, home of the Head of the Hooch regatta, in which our oldest granddaughter rowed, and headed home, via Atlanta.  Typically we head north, through the Appalachian Mountains, a colorful scenic ride this time of year.  But we chose to avoid the area as Superstorm Sandy had dumped 24 inches of snow along the mountain range. For that reason we headed south to go north. Oh well,.........

We left Chattanooga early enough in the afternoon that we reached Charlotte NC by early evening.  Little did I know this was Bill's plan all along!

After a good night's rest, we lazed over breakfast and then were two of the first early-birds at the Library.

What an amazing place! After walking through the double doors that are part of the expansive glass cross window/wall, we were transported to a gorgeous and comfortable barn.

All of the volunteers and staff were exceptionally friendly and informative.  Several staff members asked where we were from, which started a conversation about how we came through the storm called Sandy. Two greeters actually took the time to pray with us for safety, healing and rebuilding of the entire area.

At the dedication of the Library on May 21, 2007, folks were surprised to find the focus of every display pointed to Jesus.  Billy had opposed the building of a "Billy Graham" library until the organization agreed to an evangelical focus. The outcome is a perfect blend of the evangelist's life and our need for Jesus in our lives.

After the guided tour of the barn, lunch at the Dairy Bar and some time in Ruth's Attic Bookstore, we spent time in the garden at Ruth's grave site. Her simple epitaph "Construction complete, thank you for your patience." is thought provoking.

Then we visited the family farmhouse. Not a replica but the actual home that Billy's father built in 1927.  This structure, moved brick by brick to this site, shows Billy's humble beginnings. He lived in this home until he was 17 years old, went off to college and then followed God's call on his life to become a preaching
evangelist.

I can remember before I was a believer I could not stand to listen to Mr. Graham's preaching. Now I can't get enough of it. Occasionally we'll watch a presentation of old tent meetings and every time the message speaks to my heart.

All of that to say this, GO!!! If you find yourself within a few hundred miles of Charlotte NC, stop by the library. It's a great 2 - 3 hour activity that's free of charge!  The prices at the bookstore and dairy bar were reasonable.Their chicken salad and milkshakes were deeelish!!!

Billy celebrated his 94th birthday on November 7th.  Go to My Hope with Billy Graham to see what is planned for his 95th, in 2013.

Blessings, Carole

Daily Thanks

I have noticed that many of my Facebook friends have joined a new tradition of posting thoughts of thankfulness each day of November, the month of thanksgiving.

A very nice thought and tradition and I wanted to join the fun. But we left town on October 24th heading to Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. I don't have computer time when we are traveling, so November 1st came and went without my starting on time.


So, I'll try to catch up.

Nov 1 - I am thankful that Superstorm Sandy spared our house and the houses of our three NorthEast children. Kelly had some water in her crawlspace and loss of some items in her shed.

Nov. 2 - I am thankful that Bill & I had safe travels over 4,300 miles.

Nov. 3 - I am thankful that I didn't have to drive even one of those 4,300 miles or pump the gas to travel them.

Nov. 4 - I am thankful for the gift of watching our grandchildren grow up and participating in many of their activities.

Nov. 5 - I am thankful for living in a country where we can travel at-will and as long as the money holds out.

Nov. 6 - I am thankful for the several medications that keep my several diagnosis manageable.

Nov 7 - I am thankful that our electricity was restored within moments of our return from vacation.  .

Nov 8 - I am thankful that the ruined contents of our fridge and freezer were minimal and we have the resources to replace them.

Oops, I am one day ahead of the pack.  Better quit now, I had a busy day and am tired. Oh I am thankful to be home and in our own bed.