Memories Are Sweet- Cherish Them

If you've read my previous posts (well, the few that I have), then you know I don't really get personal. I keep things to the point, and try to keep my wrtings short and sweet. Well this post is going to be different. I have a personal reason for writing this. Most people, when looking back on life, think of a time when everything seemed perfect, but didn't realize it until later. I too, have a time when I was totally obvlivious to the great things in my life. Looking back on all the memories, I didn't realize how lucky I truly was. I suppose I had better tell you about that time, before I lose your interest in a sob story of how I wish I could go back in time to change things.
The story starts when I was only seven years old. I was living in Maine, with all my family and loving it. My father was in the Navy, and when we got the orders to move to Patuxent River, Maryland, I was crushed. Everything I had ever know was in Maine. Well, come January we were living in Maryland. I hated it at first. I complained all the time, and pouted just to annoy my parents. To be honest, I wanted them to pay for making me leave Maine, so I made life miserable for them. That only lasted a bit, though. As the dreary days of January and February past into the warm spring days of March and April, I began to warm up to Pax River.
 One day in, about April I suppose, there was a new girl at school. Jazzmyn was her name. Although I am now ashamed of it, I distinctly remember looking at her tall frame standing there with big, goofy glasses and a striped shirt, and thinking that she was a dork, and that I would never be freinds with her. It seems almost funny now that I've known her for nearly eight years and consider her a sister. Come May, I turned eight years old. School got out and I passed the second grade with straight A's on June 18th (it's beyond me how I remeber the exact day). By then I liked Maryland, I loved Maine still, but there were worse places I could be than the small Naval base there.
Then I met him. A boy, that to this day, is still making my life wonderful and who makes me smile. The boy that can look at the huge grin on my face and ask, "What's wrong?" because he knows me that well. The boy that, when he comes to visit, is going to shove me off my bed and steal my blanket at night (inside joke). His name was/is Devin.
I had seen him around before, sure, I even talked to him a few times. He was my neighbor, and was in a grade higher than me, so he waited for the bus at my stop too. But that one day when I was playing on my front lawn in June really changed my life a lot, and I know it was for the better. He just stopped by for about two minutes to say hi and just talk. I, being freakishly shy, was too stunned to say much. I liked talking to him, though. All I remember from the conversation is as he was about to walk away, he turned to me with the mischevious, boyish grin that I now know so well (the one I love), and said, "You know what? By the time I'm done with you, you wont be shy anymore." All I could do was smile.
Enough about him though. Devin is half of the reason I began to love Maryland, but not all of it. Let's talk about the other half. I'm not sure what it was. Maybe it was the glow of the fireflies in the darkness of all those summer nights. Or the way the sun would shine just right sometimes, and I couldn't help but smile. Maybe it was the huge birthday part I had when I turned nine. The one my mom told me I could invite eight people to, but about seventeen ended up coming. I'm not sure what it was, exactly. All I know is that I loved it.
What I look back on, in regret though, was that I didn't realize it at the time. I didn't realize that I was surrounded by people; family and friends alike, who loved me. I think of Maryland all the time. It brings bittter sweet memories. Sweet because, well, everyday of my life was sweet while we lived there. Bitter because I have a horrible longing to be able to go back. To be able to live like that just one more time.
People often say that when a loved one passes, not a day goes by for the rest of their lives that they don't think of them. I have never lost someone close to me, but I do know that I think of Maryland every waking second. It's the last thing I remember before I fall asleep. I often wonder if maybe its because of all the 'crap' shall we say, that has since happened. To put it simply, Maryland, so far, has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Well, not Maryland itself, but all the people there. All the places. All the smiles, the friendship, the happiness, the warmth.
So, bottom line- live life as if today is the best thing that has ever happend to you. Because for all you know, it just might be. Life is what you make it. We all have regrets, or something we wish we could change. Personally, I see nothing wrong with that. People say, "Live with no regrets." If you were to ask me though, I wouldn't agree. It's good to have them- regrets are what keep you from messing up again. It's only when you give up on life because of the weight of all the regrets that they become bad. I wish, with all my being, that I had realized just how lucky I was. I will never again make that mistake.
My advice to whomever may be reading this is simple.
Life is short. Live it.
Love is rare. Grab it.
Fear is awful. Face it.
Anger is bad. Dump it.
Memories are sweet. Cherish them.

Happy Independence Day!

   As July 4th draws nearer many Americans happily adorn their yards with colorful decorations, children play with red-white-and blue pinwheels, and there are parades in almost every city! Amongst the joy and social events, it's easy for many of us to forget the true meaning of Independence day.
   So, what is it, exactly?  According to Wikipedia the Fourth of July is, "a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain."
   This truly is a reason to rejoice! If not for this event, we may not have the freedom and liberties that we now have. Many lives were lost in battle, and a lot of people sacrificed for this event to happen. Many a brave man's one mission was to gain freedom, and to be able to provide a safe life for his family. Because of the truly courageous acts of proud Americans, we can all lie our heads down in peace every night.
   I would like to thank all of the soldiers who fought, or are still fighting for our freedom, all of the patriotic citizens who stand or ever stood behind them, all of our forefathers and men who still so wisely rule this country, and all of the proud Americans, who still to this day will stand behind their families, their troops, their flag, but most of all- their country. It is because of you that this great country is what it is.
   Besides our freedom, there are also many reasons for thanksgiving. I believe that the 4th of July isn't just about celebrating our liberties. It's a day to remember not only America's freedom and happiness, but yours. It's about what freedom looks like. Is it your five year old daughter with a chocolate covered face? Or is it your amazing recovery from cancer? How about your son's graduation? Maybe it's your fiftieth anniversary. It's your own personal reason for joy.
   Let's not forget the festivities and fun, though! I know many of you, as well as myself, will be celebrating with fun games, food, parades and family. Picnics, fireworks, and carnivals make the special day of July 4th so interesting! I hope you all get many great pictures, and even better memories! Please remember to stay safe though, and have fun.
                        

God Bless the USA