Growing up here in Northern California, I didn’t know anyone who served in the military… personally.

I grew up here in Silicon Valley, right where Steve Jobs first planted the first Apple seed in his garage with Steve Wozniak.

I grew up right here, less than a hop, skip and a jump, where Hewlett & Packard put together the first PC in a one-car garage.

We are the pioneers of the West… but, I never knew anyone who served actively in duty… who stood in front of enemy fire to protect the freedoms we have here in the Silicon Valley, so that we can be safe.  So that we can build computers, be entrepreneurs and be geeky and accepted.  

If it weren’t for those who put their bootprints in the sand, who watch the sunset behind gates around base in foreign territories, who stand watch in tall towers, move supplies in Humvees, move out in caravan, who stand up and dress up in full Fatigues every morning and stand ready to give their lives for the men standing up next to him…

If it weren’t for the officers who lay in bed awake at night, worried about that soldier or his little girl who said, “When are you coming home, Daddy?”, while having to get up the next day to lead and make decisions, who have to keep making them because he swore an oath before a flag and a nation…

You and I. We have a home.

Our country.

And every year, when school begins and the rush of the autumn breeze reminds us winter will pass through here, there is a day when everything stops.  When we all remember those who died as soldiers too.

9/11.

Moms.

Dads.

Brothers.

Sisters.

Friends.

Colleagues.

These were everyday soldiers in life — who serve their families, their friends, their colleagues, their lovers, their children, and this nation — by simply living, working, and being human.

Those who died in the twin towers — the people who were trapped as well as the people of service — firefighters, rescue workers, policemen and many more — who became engulfed by the fire to rescue them — these were all soldiers.

And those who watched and witness these horrors… friends you know, friends you don’t know who were there that day, business people in ties, tourists in shorts, ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses who saw the and heard the choking tears and devastation… let us remember them too.

For they are soldiers as well, choosing to be brave and courage to survive and live their lives — having been touched by the smell of death and brokenness.

The twin towers remind me that I am not lucky to be an American.

Someone … real people… have had to pay price for my freedom.  And those who come up behind them are continuing to pay that price today.

No. I am not lucky.

The twin towers remind me that I am blessed to be an American.

~~~~~

Pull up a chair…. Click to share a comment as 9/11 passes by our hearts and remembrance.  This is a quiet place for you and me.

Do Something
For Those Who Serve
Fill Their Souls With Words of Love

{words of remembrance can fill the soul of someone who serves today… will you give them the joy of your words today? (DaySpring’s 10-Pack Greeting Cards for Military & Civil Service)}

Today, I want to invite you to remember those who serve our country in the Military, in civil service, law enforcement, in rescue organizations — and do something to let them know you are thinking of them —

by writing them a card of encouragement or

sending them a soulful gift

(let’s remember the spouses, serving the burden of caring for family while their men are deployed)

As you know, I never promote any products here at  Faith Barista.  I write this blog as a barista loves her people, she tries to listen to what each one likes and tries to serve them drinks for their soul, to refresh them… with a double shot of faith.

But, today, I’d like to share some DaySpring (in)courage products that were gifted to the men and women of Wounded Warriors Transition based in Fort Campbell, KY when I met with them in Nashville last month — in hopes that you will purchase them as gifts for people in your life — who serve in our country.

As I prepared my speaking material for Spiritual Whitespace Retreat for the Military in Nashville, I felt I couldn’t come to them empty handed.  I needed to give them something, to let them know how loved and treasured they are.

So, I turned to Saul Robles, who works at (in)courage DaySpring (I know Saul through writing for DaySpring). I asked him, “Would DaySpring like to sponsor some Spiritual Whitespace inspiring gifts for the retreat– so officers and soldiers can enjoy refreshment with God everyday?”

These are the products I asked for — I chose them to go to bundle them up in a gift bag with copies of my book Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.  I chose them, because they would inspire soulful, intimate time with God and each other:

Finding Spiritual Whitespace: a soul’s guidebook on rest

perpetual calendar Meet Me in the Meadow by Roy Lesson

a journal for the men {Set Your Mind}

a journal for the women/wives {Wings Like a Dove}

DaySpring through Saul said YES — a BIG YES.

DaySpring not only gifted these soul-inspiring products for those who were coming, Saul ordered DOUBLE the amount I requested, so that the Chaplain can have them ready in his office to freely give to those who didn’t make it.

Not only that, Saul gifted some EXTRA gifts that I didn’t ask for —

10 Pack Greeting Cards for Military and Civil service
 

perpetual calendar (in)courage Home for the Hearts of Women

I want to thank Saul at DaySpring for generously gifting these items, without any “payback” that I would write about them in this blog post (Saul didn’t know). He just gave out of his heart on behalf on DaySpring because they love our service men and women.

So, I wanted to introduce these products to you, as a way of thanking them.

And to the men and women of the Wounded Transition Battalion out in Fort Campbell, KY — I salute you today.  I’m blessed to carry you in my heart always.  With Love, Bonnie 

(psst… kindreds, if after clicking on the images or links above,you place an order, some change will make it’s way to my barista tip jar…)