Memorial Day Reflections

On May 24, 2025May 24, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry90 Comments

Dear Friends,

I hope you’re doing well! We’re enjoying our last weekend with our son before he returns to CO. I’ll try to contain the tears, but I have a feeling they’ll be the winners. The visit has been wonderful, but we raise our children to fly from the nest, to create their own lives, and ours have done just that to make us proud. Sigh.

On another note, I’ve renovated my blog, so if you notice, let me know what you think. Or if you have ideas to make it look better, please share them. I’m no webmaster! My goal was to create an author page with my blog as a separate tab. I did it, but it wasn’t an easy task. Thanks to the Gremlins for taking a lunch break while I diligently worked and followed directions online. 🙂 And if you check out my home page, feel free to click on the ‘like’ button. ❤️

And lastly, a long weekend in the U.S. arrives but not without a high price…

I AM A VETERAN

by Andrea Christensen Brett

You may not know me the first time we meet
I’m just another you see on the street
But I am the reason you walk and breathe free
I am the reason for your liberty

I AM A VETERAN

I work in the local factory all day
I own the restaurant just down the way
I sell you insurance, I start your IV
I’ve got the best-looking grandkids you’ll ever see

I’m your grocer, your banker
Your child’s schoolteacher
I’m your plumber, your barber
Your family’s preacher
But there’s part of me you don’t know very well
Just listen a moment, I’ve a story to tell

I AM A VETERAN

I joined the service while still in my teens
I traded my prom dress for camouflage greens
I’m the first in my family to do something like this
I followed my father, like he followed his

Defying my fears and hiding my doubt
I married my sweetheart before I shipped out
I missed Christmas, then Easter
The birth of my son
But I knew I was doing what had to be done

I served on the battlefront, I served on the base
I bound up the wounded
And begged for God’s grace
I gave orders to fire, I followed commands
I marched into conflict in far distant lands

In the jungle, the desert, on mountains and shores
In bunkers, in tents, on dank earthen floors
While I fought on the ground, in the air, on the sea
My family and friends were home praying for me

For the land of the free and the home of the brave
I faced my demons in foxholes and caves
Then one dreaded day, without drummer or fife
I lost an arm, my buddy lost his life

I came home and moved on
But forever was changed
The perils of war in my memory remained
I don’t really say much, I don’t feel like I can
But I left home a child, and came home a man

There are thousands like me
Thousands more who are gone
But their legacy lives as time marches on
White crosses in rows
And names carved in queue
Remind us of what these brave souls had to do

I’m part of a fellowship, a strong mighty band
Of each man and each woman
Who has served this great land
And when Old Glory waves
I stand proud, I stand tall
I helped keep her flying over you, over all

I AM A VETERAN

“Veterans are true American Idols.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon. And a friendly nudge
to share a review online if you loved Cora’s Quest.
***Thanks so much!*** 💜

I don’t know about you, but to me, this poem is moving beyond words. 💜

Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you all a safe Memorial Day Weekend. ❤️🇺🇸

Leora’s Letters by Joy Neal Kidney – Book Review

On April 6, 2024April 6, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Non-fiction, Personal Stories47 Comments

As I began reading Leora’s Letters, the story of The Wilson Family by Joy Neal Kidney, it didn’t take me long to feel moved by the love, faith, and perseverance in this remarkable family. The tale begins with Leora and Clabe who were farmers in Perry, Iowa during WWII, but their story unfolded when one by one, their five sons enlisted, wanting to serve their country. During this period, the family stayed in touch by old fashioned letter writing initiated by Leora, and I felt honored to read the letters that were evidence of their solid family connection. But the intense silence was palpable during the times when Leora and Clabe waited for their sons to reply. I can only imagine the emotional turmoil.

The letters also reminded me of my parents’ story that commenced during WWII. They were engaged in 1942, then my dad was sent overseas. Handwritten letters were the glue that kept them connected for three years before Dad was honorably discharged in 1945. They were married soon after he arrived home. Theirs was a love that was everlasting, and February 24, 2012 would have been their sixty-seventh anniversary, but mom passed away on February 2^nd. However, if not for the letters floating back and forth, their story may not have been written. So, there is something exceptional to be noted about old fashioned letter writing, but unfortunately, this intimate gesture has faded with conveniences of technology.

Leora’s Letters may be a personal diary of The Wilson’s, but it also serves as history, reminding us that those who sacrificed their lives in war should not be forgotten. I knew the premise before I started the book, but I wasn’t aware of the details. As I continued from one chapter to the next, I sensed a dreadful anticipation. As a parent, I can’t fathom how Leora and Clabe felt, not knowing the whereabouts or wellbeing of their sons. I became teary-eyed as the story progressed, and at one point, I considered putting the book down for good. The heartache was overwhelming. Though the sorrow never subsided, I’m glad that I made it to the end.

Joy is the daughter of Doris Wilson Neal and the oldest granddaughter of Leora and Clabe’s. She is the keeper of her family’s history, so through intensive research, she beautifully crafted this book with the help of Robin Grunder. I commend Joy and Robin for such a well written and moving account. And I am still moved by Leora’s strength and courage to greet each new day for decades later despite the magnitude of loss she endured. I highly recommend this book because it profoundly touches on love, family, resilience, faith, loss, and the desire to move forward.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I pulled this information from Joy’s blog, and I encourage you to visit her, allowing yourself to be swept up into the rich history that she shares.

Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II tells the story of the five Wilson brothers who are remembered on the Dallas County Freedom Rock® at Minburn, Iowa. Leora was their mother–Joy’s delightful grandmother.

Navymen Donald and Delbert Wilson. Pilots Dale, Danny, and Junior Wilson.

Joy the photobomber, so this was the day of the dedication, October 2019.

Joy has written many books on her family history, and they are available from Amazon.com in paperback, hardback, and ebook. Leora’s Dexter Stories and Leora’s Early Years are also in audio form, with “virtual voice.” I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

As always, thank you for stopping by,
and I hope you’ll click on the image above
to receive your copy of this most touching book.
And please visit Joy if you haven’t had the pleasure
of meeting her, yet. ❤️

Adventuring on the East Coast

On March 24, 2022March 24, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Vacations63 Comments

Last week my husband and I flew to Virginia to visit our son, and our daughter and SIL drove up from Tennessee. It was a chance for all of us to spend time together while our son acted as tour guide. He had some specific destinations in mind, so on those days, we were out the door by 8am to beat the crowds and get an early start. Fortunately, the weather complied, so no plans were detoured. Our first tour began with taking the Metro into Washington DC, a 20-minute ride from his apartment. This was a fun adventure.

The first stop was the White House, which was a bit underwhelming because of construction. Other historical sites we visited were the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, National Mall, the United States Capitol, Original Smithsonian Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Air and Space Museum. We covered 11 miles at a moderate clip!

**Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool**
**(too bad it didn’t look real clean)**

**View from the WW II Memorial**
**of the Washington Monument**

Another point of interest was Harper’s Ferry National Park in West Virginia. This is the town abolitionist John Brown raided from October 16-18, 1859 in an effort to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over this United States arsenal. Brown’s raid has been called the dress rehearsal for the Civil War.

From Google (paraphrased):

Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park is located in West Virginia. Paths wind through this quaint town that has 19th-century buildings, a Civil War Museum, and John Brown’s Fort, a key site in an 1859 abolitionist raid. The location where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, known as The Point, offers views of Maryland and Virginia. The Appalachian Trail Visitor Center has exhibits on the long-distance hiking trail.

In addition to the history, Harper’s Ferry is a small town full of charming shops to entice your wallets and delicious cafes to satisfy your palates. We walked about 6 miles, up and down hills, and on trails by the Potomac River, and also on the bridge overlooking the Shenandoah River. The views were incredible!

**Posing by the** **Potomac River**
**with our daughter & SIL**

Our last stop was at Fort Washington in Maryland…

From Wikipedia:

During the War of 1812 Fort Washington, built to protect the capital from enemy advances on the Potomac River, was captured by the British under the command of Admiral Gordon, three days after the burning of the capital.

It was interesting to read about the history while walking around this huge historic park with extensive hiking and bicycle paths. An abundance of grass made this park a perfect place for dogs to run around, and there were lots of happy dogs doing just that. This is a great destination for picnicking, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Historical re-enactments are held periodically at the Fort, and there is a small museum. Cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom, and they are beautiful.

**Yours truly under blue skies,**
**but with cold temps and just a little wind** 🙂

Now, I ask you, “Have you ever had the Ambar experience?” Ambar is a restaurant in Arlington, VA offering Balkan Cuisine. Our son treated all of us to the Ambar experience which is when small plates are ordered and brought to the table for everyone to sample. If you want more of an item, you simply ask the waiter or waitress. The cost is the same for each person and there is a 2-hour limit. We finished just shy of an hour and a half. The experience alone bursted with energy in the packed and noisy restaurant. We enjoyed drinks first, then we dove into the food frenzy. A few items we indulged in were a Charcuterie board with a variety of spreads and white flatbread. Then came a kale caesar salad, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and a cheese pie. The main course consisted of stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers, chicken skewers, meatballs, smoked sausage, salmon, and grilled shrimp. Remember, each plate had just enough for the five of us to sample. But even though we ate small helpings, we were full by the end of this food adventure, so we agreed to skip dessert.
I’m sure the desserts would have been absolutely heavenly because the food was to die for!
I’m sharing a few pics…

And this is the end of our east coast adventuring. Since our kids live across the country, the time spent together was beyond special. And even if we had stayed an extra day, there still would’ve been good-bye hugs and tears. So, we are grateful for this trip and what it brought to us. Until next time…

Hope you all enjoyed the adventure!

~Lauren ❤️

Rocking Back to the Past ~ Five Photos/Five Stories 5

On August 30, 2015August 30, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos34 Comments

When my Mom was five years old, her father built this rocking chair; it was the year of 1926. Freshly painted bright white with animal decals were the final touches. I can only imagine the expression on her little face when “Daddy” presented this to her. It has traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mom was born, far west to the sunny state of California. All of her daughters in their youth (my sisters and I) have shared the joy of this piece of history.

This priceless heirloom has lived in my sister’s homes for their children to use and appreciate. Then when our son and daughter were born, the charm of this gift touched them, as well. Over the years and more often than not, the thought of refinishing this mini rocker had drifted in and out of our minds. Although for some reason, it never happened. Maybe we were afraid of erasing history. Nonetheless, it will remain as you see it in this photo and our hope is that in the far future our grandchildren will have the chance to rock too.

Sometimes memories are all we have of years gone by, at times photographs evoke past moments spent, and now and then, a piece of handcrafted furniture takes us back to people we love and have lost. It’s been over three years now. We miss you, Mom. ♥

I’d like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.

Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.

For my fifth and final nomination, I am tagging Michelle at http://michelleclementsjames.com/ (Book Chat) and I look forward to her contributions if she can find the time in between her wonderful book reviews.