United We Stand America

Where do I start??? Many of you have heard our family's "Ross Perot" story and quite a story it is. The story continues, in Jason-like fashion!

If you don't know the beginning of the story, you can read the skeleton details from Sarah's website and see the pictures from the first part of the story -- here.

In late February, Ed and I received an email from Jason, whereby he was inviting us on a Texas road-trip! To none other than Ross Perot's Plano, TX to personally thank him for all he did for our family. He proved to be quite a fascinating person -- very humble, witty, and extremely down to earth.

We learned a lot from the United We Stand America founder. We learned he buys his suits from Men's Warehouse, what he thinks of Jane Fonda AND Hillary Clinton, about his 15 grand-children and fabulous stories about some of his activities. We saw some of the fabulous paintings and artifacts in his personal memoriabilia collection. For example -- the picture of Washington on the dollar bill is from a painting -- about 16 x 20. Mr. Perot owns the orginal! It hangs in his office, next to some of his Rockwell's.
We presented Mr. Perot a copy of Tom's Book. We thought Tom wouldn't mind Ross Perot catching up on how one may use Calvin and Hobbes to explain just about anything possible going on in the life of a young cadet, soldier, son, brother, and friend.

One striking comment to us was, "Your Son didn't die for his country. He lived for his country. For if something is not worth dying for, it's not worth living for." Pretty profound and I believe Tom would agree with Mr. Perot.

You can enjoy more pictures from Jason's April 18 website post here.

It was a fabulous day and a fun way to thank a humble man who did something nice -- because he could.

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

April 16th

Today is my birthday! I love birthdays – anyone’s birthday! No need to guess. I’ll spill the beans – I am 55 today!

When the kids were little we started a tradition where everyone (other than the birthday person) woke up early and we would sneak next to the bed and start singing Happy Birthday to awaken the birthday girl/boy. It was a fun tradition and today I find myself calling all over the country (and now world!) to sing that little birthday jingle to family!

It’s not only my birthday, but a day when some major milestone have happened in my life ~~
Last year, the day I turned 54, was the day Laura left for Botswana. It’s hard to believe she’s been gone a year and I can hardly wait to see my “African Queen” next month.

The year before, when I turned 53, was the last day I got to spend with Tom. Everyone came home while Tom was on mid-tour leave from Iraq. We had 3 days of non-stop hill-country fun, Six Flags Over Texas roller coasters, a trip to the Poteet Strawberry Festival, and just plain ol’ fun. We spent my birthday at home – quietly and watched the news unfold about the horrible Virginia Tech massacre. The next morning, on the 17th, I hugged Tom good-bye for the last time.

Birthday of 2006, I turned 52 and my birthday was on Easter Sunday. I was in theatre, so had a fabulous dinner at the DFAC (pronounced dee-fack) the shortened word for what the military now calls the Mess Hall. It’s the acronym for Dining Facility.

The year I turned 50 (in 2004) I had just moved to Texas, while Ed and Becky were still in Nebraska; Sarah and Laura were in Fayetteville; and Tom was at West Point. My friend, Rita, invited me for “birthday dinner” at her home in San Marcos. She baked a cake for me and she served mimosas! Great fun with her family!

I was born on Good Friday and very surprised that the first time my birthday ever landed on Easter was my 45th. (Then again on the 52nd). I remember we had the pool (in Arkansas) opened and ready for the season. I remember it was warm enough that year to swim a few laps that day. (I also remember many snow falls after my birthday from my South Dakota days!)

The year I turned 40, we were living in Arkansas and my friend, Erlene, flew from Sioux Falls to spend my birthday with me. The kids were 13, 11, 10, and 8! What a fun time!

I think the year I turned 30 was the toughest birthday – for a lot of reasons. Tom was 2 ½. Sarah was 17 months old, and Laura was 5 days old! I had been home from the hospital for 2 days, both Tom and Sarah had the stomach flu (imagine that mess!) and my beloved FORGOT my birthday! Imagine his horror when his Mother called that evening to wish me a Happy Birthday! I guess I should have had that date engraved inside his wedding band as well, and perhaps he would have never forgotten it. Alas – we celebrated for the next 6 months on the 16th of May, 16th of June, 16th of …..you get it!

When I turned 20 – I bought a motorcycle on that day! It was a little 125cc Honda street bike. I didn’t ride it much, but my younger brothers (Jim and Jan) really put the miles on it! I’ll never forget the look on my Mother’s face when I drove it to her house. What a shock! Don’t worry – I’m not the “Harley Davidson” type, so don’t expect any motorcycles from this chick anymore!

The year I turned 10 (1964) was the last birthday I shared with my Dad. He died in a car accident the following month and as a little girl I remember how sad I was that he wouldn’t be there for Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and Easter, and my birthday.

I share my birthday was some fabulous (and some not-so fabulous) people – Pope Benedict XVI, Henry Mancini, Bobby Vinton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jimmy Osmond, Ellen Barkin (same year!), and my favorite birthday buddy – Ben Parks (my great nephew)!

My zodiac sign is Aries. Check out this horoscope! This year would prove to be good, if not very good, for you. Promotion in your job is on the cards. You might also expect salary hikes in the time period from February 2009 to April 2009. You may face lot of troubles in your education. For this you need to be extra careful and very hardworking. Pre-planning is very necessary if you wish everything to be smooth. This year is goo for your traveling. Chances of a foreign trip might be there.
Don’t need the education woos – as I’m within 3 weeks of finishing up the Master’s Program!!! YIKES!! But, travel will be good. As for that foreign trip? We are planning on Africa January 2010!

My favorite birthday cake is German Chocolate and I can almost bake one as good as my Mother did! My birthday will be on Easter again in 2017 (age 63), 2028 (age 74), and 2090 (age 146). I think I'll leave that one for Ben to enjoy!

Happy Birthday to you and yours whenever you celebrate this year, or next, or next! I love birthdays!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief