RANT & CHAT - No Politics

[Vivian]

Rant du jour.....

When Mr. S showed up at my door, on September 2nd, with a beautiful potted azalea in hand, announcing he was celebrating the "holiday", I naturally thought he meant Labor Day since it had been the day before. Boy, was I wrong!

Mr. S retired from this company some 20 years ago. He still visits us, health permitting, every week. He served, proudly, on the USS California during WWII, and will regale everyone with his war stories with little provocation. He is very quick to proudly boast that his was the ship which ferried General MacArthur into Tokyo Bay for the signing of the treaty ending hostilities between the U.S. and Japan. The date was September 2nd, 1945. And that was the "holiday" to which he referred, and for which I received the azalea.

When he first asked me if I knew what the date (9/2) meant, I honestly couldn't think of a thing...other than it being my brother-in-law's birthday. He truly was outraged that the "young folks" as he calls us - bless him! - were not aware of the significance of the date, and rightfully so I think.

We tend to forget things all too easily in this day and time. And the things we do remember we tend to quickly cast aside; all the while complaining how life is flying by in a blur as we rush, rush, rush to our next meeting, appointment, date, etc.

How simple would it be to stop and remember the really important times of our lives? Amazingly simple, if you ask me. You must make time, and you always have time for the things you put first.

So, just for today, set aside some time for remembrance. Whether it is for the ending of WWII, the tragedies of 9/11/01, the passing of a loved one, the birth of a child, the love of a pet, or the beauty of a single rose. Stop and seize one moment for yourself. And maybe, just maybe, this one moment will be the start of a something new and wonderful - a true appreciation for those things that shape who you have become, and make you the unique and beautiful individual you are.