Rain and (almost) tear drops

It's been raining here in San Diego for a couple days.  In between the showers - I refuse to call it a "storm" because it's not, although the local weather man insists on calling it just that! - we have thrown the kids out to play but it's still not helping with the high energy of toddlers.  So, we went to the movies.  Four kids, two tired moms and one car later we arrived at the naval base movie theatre.  I believe in mind over matter, think positive and be positive, and it seemed to work, everyone had a good time!

But, that is not the point of this blog.  The point is that I haven't been on a military base theatre for a while to watch a movie... I forgot that they play the National Anthem before each movie.  As soon as I heard the first note I immediately heard the shuffle of feet and watched as the WHOLE theatre rose.  No one prompted these men and women, the families, the old or young (except the moms like myself who have real little ones).  We all stood in unison and listened to the words and watched the short patriotic clips that accompanied the song.  My heart swelled, tears welled and I couldn't breath.  Glancing down at my two little ones with their hands over their hearts I thought "Wow, this is a moment!" and wished I had my camera!!  

Thinking back to this event just a few short hours ago, my heart still swells with pride and my stomach does flip flops as I hold back tears.  We really are blessed to be where we are today and I thank every person from the bottom of my heart who is serving our great nation!  I think it's important to be thankful each and every day, not just on the fourth of July or during trying times, be thankful NOW!  Be thankful for our rights, our freedoms and the people who fight near and far for what we believe in.