Tag: veterans

Still Looking for Peace on Earth

I have updated my first Christmas post for the ten-year anniversary of this blog, My late friend Bill provided the cover image. I share the special bond he had with my husband, their shared experiences of war, and how art served as therapy for Bill. I invite you to reflect on loss and legacy during the holiday season.

This is an updated version of the first Christmas post I wrote for this blog ten years ago, 2015. I had no plans to write a blog for any length of time, much less ten years.

The same cover photo depicts a Biblical scene from the Christmas story. Some shepherds tending their flocks were visited by angels.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 

 And the angel said to them,

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

Luke 2:11–14, ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Christmas manger display
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. (Isa. 9:6–7)
Photo by Dr. Aletha

Shepherds, Angels, and Two Soldiers

The cover image was on a Christmas card my husband, Raymond, and I received from our dear friends Bill and Greta Hart, whom we met at our church.

Like my husband, Bill was an Army veteran. Raymond served three years, including a tour in Vietnam. Bill was sent to Europe during World War II and was among the men who stormed Normandy on June 6 to liberate France.

Though they served in two very different wars, with different outcomes, Bill and Raymond bonded over their shared experience. They both carried invisible wounds of the mind and heart that others couldn’t see.

Bill was a professional artist, but art was not just his job. It was his therapy, a balm for his pain, a source for the peace he had fought for but did not feel himself.

So he drew this picture of the shepherds hearing the joyful message of peace coming to earth, put it on Christmas cards, and sent the message to his friends.

Both Bill and Greta have passed away after living into their 90s. They remained faithful members of our church. He continued drawing and painting until the day he died. With her sister, Greta taught Bible lessons after school in local elementary schools. With her passing, other women have continued her mission.

Thoughts

Who is missing in your life this holiday season? What thoughts come to your mind as you remember them? What feelings stir in you?

What do you want others to remember about you? What will you do now to make that happen?

Exploring the HEART of Health

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an evergreen wreath with holly

Dr. Aletha

Read more about Bill Hart here.

Remembering D-Day through Art

In 1943, as a 20 year old, Bill joined the Army, deployed to England, and prepared for the invasion. What he thought would be a grand adventure turned into a nightmare which he vividly captured in his book.

Keep reading

How to Dwell on Advent

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Screenshot of the Advent offerings on the Dwell app

November Dates and Days

November in the U.S. brings Thanksgiving, a time for family and reflection. We also acknowledge Armistice Day, Native American Heritage Month, and Giving Tuesday, promoting generosity and the contributions of diverse communities. Each observance highlights cultural significance and the importance of giving back.

Say “November”, and in the United States, we think “Thanksgiving”.

Yes, for the abundant and delicious food we consume, but mostly because it’s a time spent with family, often ones we don’t see every day. And other countries observe a Thanksgiving Day.

What do you have planned for Thanksgiving?

Whether you have made plans yet or not, what would make your holiday special and satisfying? What do you need to do now to make that happen?

Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com

An Immigrant’s Thanksgiving

Dr. Hans Duvefelt immigrated to the United States from Sweden. He practices medicine in Maine and writes a blog, “A Country Doctor Writes”.

He wrote about his first Thanksgiving in the United States. Here is a link to that article.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

A Country Doctor Writes

Dr. Duvefelt published his blog posts as a 3-book series, available on Amazon. (affiliate link)

Daylight Saving Time ends

If you don’t like changing to Daylight Saving Time in the spring, you will welcome the change back to standard time in the fall. We used to change in October but a few years ago it was extended to the first Sunday in November.

If the change messes with your sleep, this post offers help to adjust quickly.

How does the change in daylight hours affect the way you feel and function?

Armistice Day-November 11

Maybe you’ve never heard of this day. It’s become more of a historical term for the end of World War I, said to have ended “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.

Many countries observe it in various ways. In the United Kingdom it’s called Remembrance Day. In the United States, we mark it as Veterans’ Day, where we honor those who have served in the military in all wars and peacetime.

Forever Honoring Our Veterans 

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration provides crucial health care and education through the VHA system. Personal stories highlight the deep bonds between veterans and their families. Meets a wounded veteran’s therapy dog serving as his best man at his wedding.

Keep reading

Your Veteran Relatives

Some veterans welcome the chance to tell stories about their service time, while others find it too intrusive. Be sensitive to their feelings and don’t push those who are reluctant to share.

For your relatives who are willing to talk about their military experiences, show interest even if you’ve heard their stories before. Their accounts are history that may otherwise be unknown. Once they are gone, their stories will be gone too. Don’t miss this chance to learn valuable family history.

Native American Heritage Month

The Thanksgiving holiday mostly celebrates the immigration of Europeans to the North American continent. Native American Heritage Day and Month, recognize the people who were already here.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation….

we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.

U.S. Department of the InteriorIndian Affairs

If you descend from Indigenous groups, how do you observe and preserve your heritage?

If you descend from people who came to North America from elsewhere, what do you know about the Indigenous people who inhabited the land you now live on?

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

Keep reading

Giving Tuesday-“Radical Generosity”

It started with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when shoppers flock to retailers in search of Christmas shopping bargains.

Then came Small Business Saturday, which promotes local, independently owned businesses.

And the next shopping event is Cyber Monday, for e-commerce transactions on the Monday after Thanksgiving. It was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online.

All of these are opportunities for shoppers to save money and for businesses to make profits, strengthening the economy. But some parts of our society can fall through the cracks of that economy.

While some of us may be doing well financially, not everyone is. And that’s where Giving Tuesday bridges the gap.

Join the GivingTuesday movement and reimagine a world built upon shared humanity and radical generosity.

Giving Tuesday website

And generosity is not just about money. “Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.”

Radical generosity-the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering

GIVING TUESDAY

Because Thanksgiving is November 27, Cyber Monday is December 1, and Giving Tuesday is December 2. But why wait? Any day is a perfect day to be generous.

Exploring the HEART of health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

a world globe with two crossed bandaids

Doctor Aletha