6.4.24 American Legion Nationals & John Graduation

Traveling with our kids is a great way to get to know them. We learned with Addie it's all about moving. Keep moving, don't sit around let's go for a walk. We also know from past experience that she handles her nervous energy best with some time spent running. So bright and early on the day of the contest she got up to run. I stumbled out of bed threw on clothes and shoes and headed outside to chaperone her run. We were greeted with mist I had never seen before (It was also 4 am at home!). Literally, the water hung in the air. How refreshing and mystifying. She ran I could not see or hear her. I walked back and forth like a prowling lion hoping she was safe. 

She was we went back and got dressed for the day, had breakfast and headed to meet the competitors. What a delightful group of young people. Karli from Iowa, Addie, South Dakota, and Alabama. All so distinct and interesting to listen to their take on the constitution. 

Our district commander Jim showed up. He is a Michigan native and was in state taking care of his sister. He spent the day with us observing the contest. We were thankful for the support. Addies' curled hair withered. My natural curls thrived in this environment. 

She did not progress past the first round but we did learn so much watching the other speakers. 

The highlight and most important from the contest is conversations with our fellow Americans from all over the nation. America is a diverse large country. It is so easy to believe we are very different and very divided. Yet eating together spending time sharing stories of life and living makes us realize we are not that different. 

After the contest was over it was time for John's graduation. I tried watching on my phone but it was happening just as we got back to Detriot and were trying to find our hotel for the evening. 

I spotted Air Force 1 at the airport when we p pulled in. That plane is huge and impressive. All that for one man and his family. Wow! 

The grandparent support did get me pictures. I was thankful for their taking care of things at home. 

 

We are so thankful for the teamwork that made this weekend ok. I had so many nerves going into it, and field terrible missing John's big event but new the importance of what Addie was given. I'm so thankful for all the time the grandparents gave to John and Greg and I. On to the next thing is our mantra right now. I hope we are spending the time necessary to enjoy, appreciate, and celebrate each kids big thing. We are sure pleased with the many good things our kids are doing all the time. We are thankful for their choices to be good and do good and do more and learn more. A friend shared his flower lei with John. Kindness abounds. So we survived and life is grand. We were edified and the plan so painstaking to create was just right for the circumstances we had to work with. We are so blessed.