We lost several wonderful members of our church family, which kept me focused on memorials and other work responsibilities. Last night I caught up on news, and was delighted to hear about the young man just released from Afghanistan–Bowe Bergdahl. But I was sad to see the happy event politicized and then, this morning, how fellow service members called him a deserter.
One bright spot shines in this drama–Bergdahl’s parents. They are a role model in unconditional love and selflessness. Most parents would be on the next plane, demanding to see their son/daughter, overwhelmed by their own need to see and hug him. Instead, Bergdahl’s parents sent out a message to their son–take your time, there is no hurry, take care of yourself first. You have the rest of your life ahead of you. They accept that his “reentry” must be done properly and when the time is right, they will greet him. They are giving him the space he needs and putting their own needs on the back burner.
How refreshing in this era of self-gratification. It is not always about us….most of the time is about the ones we love and supporting them, not ourselves.
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So, I may be out camping later today. I am excited to test the solar system “in the “field”.
I have been especially alert to birds after filling up my feeders. So far, I have seen mostly sparrows. However, I am dreaming about exotic birds. Last night I spotted at beautiful red and blue bird and another mostly red.
My sabbatical trip starts in only 6 more weeks. I am finishing up the decorating project and have ordered any last gear that I need. I am now armed to the teeth (slingshot and taser) and the owner of all the safety essentials, including my personal locator beacon. Sometimes I feel like “if I don’t have it they don’t make it”.
I changed the route I will take on the 6-week trip. I head first to the Black Hills area of South Dakota (only about 4 hours from here). Since I bought my camper last August, a membership RV park has been sending me invitations to spend 3 nights at their facility. In exchange, I listen to a 90 minute presentation and receive a $50 Cabela’s gift card. I am not really inclined to buy into a membership park, but it will be interesting to see how the “other half” lives before I head off into back country. Someday when I am older it might be nice to have a “base” like that.
So, onwards towards summer.
Black Hills: 
