The Flowers That Stick

I wrote this as a note on Facebook a while back...i just read it again and, wow, I like it. Who knew?

My home is covered in glittery things, things that sing the alphabet, little flowers that glow in the dark and things that if they get stuck on something, and they do, would need a nuclear arsenal to remove.

My home is filled with noise, humming, spinning things, laughter, and crying over things that are important to a 5 year old, but not so much to a 40 year old.

My home is filled with errands and my car sees me more than my bed.

My home is filled with soft things, things to sit on and things to cuddle with, things to throw and things to catch.

My home is filled with the people I adore, the people I would rather spend my times with than any other people in the world, and people that make me feel loved.

My home is filled with my heart. It may be messy with things that stick, and things that get thrown, and people that can't pick up what they put down, but it is my home, and it is my family, and I love who they are and who they will be. And in my home, I am the sticky that holds it together, and the laughter that lightens the day and the person that would give up anything to cuddle for a moment with person that needs me the most.

Those flowers I don't get, are not nearly as beautiful as the flowers that stick. My daughter is wearing them on her fingernails.

This Federal Angel

Mom just called.

Dad has been in the hospital for 3 days because he has an infection from his pacemaker surgery. He was so worried about leaving his co-workers high and dry, also about being out of leave and not getting paid. He was sure that the Insurance premium would not be paid and they would be stuck with medical bills. I tried to reassure him but he wouldn't really believe me.

Mom called his boss, Bridgette (apologies if I misspell), whose own daughter has been in the Hospital recovering from surgery and she told Mom to relay to Dad not to worry.

In a few short hours, Bridgette rallied the troops and rescued my Father. She called back East and got Helen to approve a Medical Retirement for Dad possibly beginning as early as October 1st. Someone will bring Dad his paperwork and get it all finalized for him.

On top of that (which has been in the works for MONTHS) she told him not to worry about the next two weeks. She said that his co-workers have donated their time to Dad. That he will be using their leave and will receive a full paycheck.

This is possibly the most generous and amazing thing I have ever heard of. This man, who has given so much to the service of his country is now seeing the rewards of his dedication.

Dad has over 45 years in constant work for the Federal Government. He has gotten up every morning at 4:45am and gone to work. Seldom did he take any time off. He has donated selflessly to make sure that the men and women of the armed forces are taken care of. That they have the equipment they need when they need it, and that the civilian corp also have what they need to do their jobs.

I doubt Bridgette will ever know how much she has done for my Father. How she has put him at ease with a few phone calls during a time that she also was feeling the burden of supporting her own family.

So do me a favor: Do not mock Federal Employees, EVER. Because those employees that make it happen are the salt of the earth and they are the unrecognized heroes of our country. They ask for little and give everything. They do not make the 6 figure salaries of the Congressional Page that works 5 hours a day, they *earn* what they work for and they take care of their own. They are not the wasteful tyrants that you hear about in the news. They believe that what they do, makes a difference.

This is my Dad. And he has assured an honorable legacy that needs to endure. And Bridgette, has seen to that.

Thank you Bridgette, thank you from the very bottom of my heart.