On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month

Back in July while I was sitting in the airport terminal waiting to board my plane for BlogHer I noticed a nicely dressed woman at the next terminal over pacing the floor. Every so often she'd walk towards the window and look out onto the tarmac, then she'd sit down for a few minutes only to get back up and pace some more. It was obvious that she wasn't boarding the plane for some unknown destination, she had no luggage. She was clearly waiting for someone to arrive on the incoming flight. When the plane finally taxied to it's resting spot, and the doors swung open to let passengers de-plane, I couldn't help but watch as this woman strained her neck to see who was coming towards her. She was looking for someone. She was riddled with anxiety. And then I saw why. A man, dressed in military fatigues made his way through the doorway and in an instant the two were tightly embraced right there in the middle of all these strangers. I sat and looked on, totally overtaken with emotion. It made me feel proud. And humble. And so happy and excited that the soldier in this woman's life made it back onto US soil safely. We all know that not everyone is that lucky. Today is Veterans Day. The 11th day of the 11th month. The day in which we take the time to openly pay tribute to all American veterans, living or deceased, for their patriotism, love of their country and their willingness to serve and sacrifice. "We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." -Cynthia Ozick To all the veterans in my life, and to all the veterans in yours, I Thank You.