STANDING TALL WHEN IT COUNTS: WEDDING DAY

Standing tall is a goal. It may not seem like much at first, but it is.

And here’s why:

You’re not standing tall for just yourself, although that’s part of it.

If you show how it’s done, others may learn.

So, you’re a teacher? Let class begin.

I remember the responsibility I felt early when I went to school as the little brother in the family.

Would I ‘make it?’ Would I do as well as big brother?

I hoped so. No one wants to disgrace their family.

How does disgrace work?

I joined the Army after freshman year in college.

It was the first year of the all volunteer Army. I called my dad with my first phone call.

Me: This place is a mess. We can opt out of our enlistment and I think I might.

Dad: Do you want to come home again?

Me: Yes.

Dad: Then do the time you agreed to.

My old man was a Marine who went to Korea in 1950. I listened to him and stuck it out.

He didn’t want a deserter, quitter, son and I didn’t want to be the first.

I stood up when I could have sat down because he was watching.

Thanks, Dad.

Standing Tall With The Lights On

Do you need to see where you’re going? It helps.

But once you start moving in the right direction, keep going.

Life has its own red flags to warn you about staying on track.

A car: This cream puff has been maintained from day one. I don’t have the records, but I believe the guy who brought it in.

A house: The neighborhood is in transition. That sound was not a gun, it was a car backfiring.

The date: I got this tattoo in prison.

Not all red flags are deal breakers if you know what to look for.

But the vision gets a little foggy out there. If you need help navigating, what do you do?

First One Step, Then Another

As an adult in an adult world I’ve seen first steps and last steps and I’m here to report: They’re not that different.

Both are wobbly.

Part of our job is helping that first step of hope lead to others.

The other part is guiding that last step with love and kindness and thanks for all of the steps that came before.

People who have more than enough to give work with people who don’t have people, or don’t have people they trust.

In some circles such people are called nurses.

If you’re lucky enough, you meet a nurse. If your luck holds out, you marry them.

Then you stand tall together. You help someone learn to take a first step.

Doing that is a bonding moment of taking steps in a new direction together.

New Direction On A New Day

Standing tall?

No one will be standing taller than the two love birds who will be front and center here today.

What are your standing tall moments?