Dear America

"The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart...should swell into a mighty chorus of remembrance, gratitude, and rededication on this solemn occasion."- Abraham Lincoln

 

Dear America,

I hope as you are enjoying the Memorial Day sales you remember. I hope as you travel to meet family and friends, you remember. I hope as you dig in to your hamburgers and hot dogs, you remember. I hope whenever you pass a soldier, you remember.

You remember that Memorial day is not about the sales, about traveling, or grilling. It's about those people who gave up their lives for one of the greatest things we own in the United States: freedom.

I don't think we remember that sometimes. That out there in the world, there is still such a thing as slavery. Whole states are starving. There is civil war going on. Some countries are so torn up by war, you can't recognize the difference between your brother, or your enemy. Some people don't have protection, they just have empty promises.

Yes, America, it might seem today that our government is worse than ever, but look how far we have come. We fought through the American Revolution to gain our independence from Britain. We struggled through numerous blueprints of governmental structure until we created the Constitution. We fought brother against brother to abolish slavery. We tore through two World Wars to protect others. We battled through racism, and took steps of peace towards equality. Even today, we fight for our rights.

This would not be possible without our soldiers; without those who gave up their lives for us.

So on this Memorial day, dear America, I ask that you remember and pray for all the soldiers, especially those who have died in battle. For it is because of them that we have our freedom, and our rights. It is because of them that we do not have to worry about our city being bombed. It is because of them that we live in the "Land of the free, and home of the brave."

All through Christ,

Maddie

"Cover them over with beautiful flowers, Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours, Lying so silent by night and by day Sleeping the years of their manhood away. Give them the meed they have won in the past; Give them the honors their future forcast; Give them the chaplets they won in the strife; Give them the laurels they lost with their life." - Will Carleton

Post of an 8th Grade Graduate

(To my AMAZING friends... I will miss you all! This is for the amazing class of 2015.)

Although our time has ended

and we will be spending time apart

Just know you will have a special place

here, in my own heart.

I will never forget your smile, your laugh

or your voice.

Being friends with you was an amazing 

and unregretable choice.

May God bless you as you progress in the years to come

But don't forget the friends

where your foundation came from

I will miss you, and don't forget to keep in contact

high school is a pretty big deal

but not enough to forget that.

So now my poem's rambling

and I don't know what to say

But I had a wonderful time with you for 9 years

and your new life starts today.

Wow.

Yesterday was the final chapter in my life at my grade/junior high school. 9 years of memories, good teachers, angry teachers, bad lunch food, inside jokes and wonderful friends came to a close last night, in such a beautiful way. 

Thank you all.

Thank you first off to my parents, for giving me this AMAZING opportunity to blossom at this school. Thank you for paying the super expensive fees to attend a private school. Thanks to my mom for making lunches (until around 3rd grade, but even then making them fast if I ran out of time). Thanks for my dad for driving us to school when Mom needed a break. Thank you for driving me to who knows where! Thanks for coming to my field trips, and plays, and musicals. Thank you for planning playdates with my friends. Thanks to the both of you for supporting me throughout Kindergarten and all the way to the end of 8th grade. 

Thank you to my teachers who have helped my brain and knowledge grow. (Well not my actual brain but you get the point. :D) Thank you for pushing me when you knew I needed it, and for helping me when I got stuck. Thanks for yelling at me when I was being difficult, and comforting me when I had a bad day. Thank you for pushing off tests for an extra day... that can make a difference between an A and a B. Thank you for making me dissect a shark, doing a big vocations project, researching my family genealogy, reading a book I strongly disliked (and earned the nickname Debbie Downer for my not so secret hatred), and learning algebra. Most of all, thank you for shaping me into the young woman I am today.

Thank you to my parish priests. WOW you guys are amazing! I don't know about others, but if I were a guy, I would seriously discern the priesthood because you guys are that awesome! 

Father Tom, you are a rockstar. You have such passion and love for Jesus, it's hard not to jump for joy whenever you are talking! You are the wisest, holiest man I know. 

Father Nathan, you are certainly the Hip Priest, haha. :) In a good way, of course. You always know how to connect the hard symbolism of Jesus and the Bible to our daily lives. And I am pretty sure Jesus has a scrapbook of all your selfies. Do you get grace ever time you take one, especially with important people like Scott Hahn? :D 

And Father Alessandro... man you are one heck of a priest. Every single homily inspires me like I just got confirmed. I am so sure that Jesus is standing right behind you, whispering all the words because they sound like God! And not to mention your beautiful accent... I think you should do the entire Mass in Italian sometime. :) You inspire me so much! If I could remember all your homilies, I would have a ball writing them down for all the wonderful readers to see, in hopes that they inspire them as much as you inspired me! Thanks for being such a wonderful role model.

Also, thanks to the great deacon almost priest (wahoo) Deacon Dan! I kind of wish you weren't becoming a priest because Deacon Dan has such a great ring to it... but Father Dan sounds great too! I know we haven't talked that much, but hearing your vocation story and the stories of your travels are so amazing and they inspire me! And your vocation cirriculm is spot on. I hope to one day accomplish 1/5 of the things you have done. Have fun being a priest! :)

Thank you for my friends.I don't know what I would do without you. I don't know if I could've made through 9 years without the support of you guys! Each and every one of you has a special place in my heart, and I can't even begin to describe how you guys have shaped my life. 

(WARNING: SOME READERS MAY EXPIERENCE SIDE AFFECTS OF CONFUSION AND BEFUDDLEMENT AND MAY SAY "WHAT IS GOING ON" AS THEY READ THIS BIT. IT'S NORMAL. IT WOULD BE FUNNY IF YOU WERE THERE. :D) 

Cecilia-we've been through it all Cecil. From Kindergarten Daisy scouts to our jingles and talent shows, we have been the bestest of friends. I seriously don't know what would happen to me if we didn't play imaginary horses in second grade. I would've gone out of my mind... SOMEONE needed to play with me! :) 

Libby(Krispy Kramer)- You made me the crazy person I am. You made me appreciate unicorns, and maybe even tigers!You have always been my number one fan for the blog, and whenever I don't feel the inspiration I just think of you! Thank you for being the one to start our 7th Grade Girls Lenten Prayer group. You have such a heart for Jesus, and I am honored to call you one of my best friends!

Taylor(d of the Flies)- Maylor's Conterpritive Dance Team will always beat Abby Lee, and you know it. :) Thanks for being my friend and listening to my made up stories and tours of the heart. Thanks for being a broadcaster of games with me, and telling the clan about the weather. I am honored to work at the company with you, and you should be honored that I haven't demoted you to a SLAVE haha. 

Megan- MEGAN AH if I haven't told you yet and if you haven't read my letter, second grade me was jealous of you, and frankly, I still have a little left even today. Your beautiful-ness, organization, dancing.. agh you are perfect! I had so much fun messing around with you for 9 years! Hopefully you remember some words of wisdom I told you in 6th grade. Have fun at Joffrey, and don't forget little ol' me! >:)

Lauren- You are heading some pretty great places, my dear. I wish I could continue the journey in high school with you, but don't forget I am one call away. You are so beautiful, and you always lift my spirits. You're crazy in the best way, and everyone loves you! I am so glad you have become such a dear friend to me. ;)

Everyone else- You guys are awesome. 

Thank you to my readers! I don't know how you have stuck with me since I was at the wee age of 13. I mean, looking back I would've been kind of scared to read the ramblings of a new teenager! But you guys make it happen, you make the inspiration spark. Every comment, every nice thing, oh it makes my day!

And finally, Jesus. I love you soooo much and you love me enough to encourage my parents to send my to this school. Although some times I hated it, now I realize why. I don't think I would've been inspired this much if I went to a different school. I'm letting you know now, I will be holding your hand very tightly in high school, because sometimes I am scared of growing up. But everything will be just dandy because you are with me, and you have a very strong grip. I love you.

Until my next graduation post... which will be in high school *gulps*. Hehe, we won't talk about that for the sake of my parents, and my sanity. :)

All through Christ,

Maddie

-

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself 

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

-Dr. Seuss

-

(PS- Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, as you may tell, graduation preparation and finals, etc. took up a lot of my time! Hopefully I will clog up your email box with some new posts soon! :D)