Mea culpa. I have not blogged in so long that I am almost ashamed to show my face, figuratively speaking of course. I won’t bore you with the reasons; we all pass through some dark valleys now and then, since this is Earth, not Heaven.
I am grateful to say that I have emerged from the most recent passage stronger, wiser and with gifts I could never have anticipated. More on that later.
Today, I want to celebrate all the brave and honorable men and women who put their lives on the line to preserve the freedoms too many of us–including myself at times–take for granted. They leave their homes, their families, their friends and cherished pets to serve this troubled but miraculous country, with all its inherent faults and blessings, within its borders and far beyond. From that first fist, slammed down on a table in some tavern in Lexington or Concord or elsewhere, from that first, “hell, no!”, there have been soldiers, willing to establish and then preserve that most fragile of treasures: liberty.
And to all of them, past, present and future, I say, THANK YOU.
Seems to me, we’re a pretty cranky country these days, though. Isn’t it time we remembered that we are ALL Americans? We are facing some monumental challenges, ones we can and MUST meet, but here we are, more divided than we have been in a very long time, shouting each other down, making the next person wrong, just because they have the unmitigated gall to disagree with us. Excuse me, but isn’t that one of the best things about America? The right to freedom of speech, freedom of thought? People, of course, you have a right to your opinion–but for heaven’s sake, so does the next person!
Okay, my Veteran’s Day blog has turned into something of a rant.
And some of the finest people ever to grace this planet have given their all to make that all right.
I will close with one of my favorite quotes of all time:
I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
So there.
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It’s sooooo good to hear from you Linda! I’m glad that you have emerged stronger after your dark time. I was getting worried. Welcome back!!
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Well, Linda, I am glad to see you are alive and well. A lot of us have been wondering. You’re just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving, and be thankful for all you just said and more. And, in time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, without whom we would be nothing. God is good.
Take care of yourself!
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How wonderful to hear from you! I just loved your most recent book The Yankee Widow and can’t wait to read more if you make this a series.
You are correct; why can’t we all just get along.
Praying you continue to emerge from your darkness and wishing you all the best.
How are all your pets doing at the ranch?
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Welcome back, Linda.
THANK YOU!!!
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Linda , so good to hear from you again ! Take care & know that many people wish you & yours the very best.
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A very thoughtful blog. Thank you!
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Very well said.
Glad your back to blogging.
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Well said. I am married to a wonderful veteran who served in the Vietnam War. I am so thankful he came home safely, and I am so proud that he served our country so we can have the wonderful life and privileges we have here in America.
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Glad to see you back in my in-box. Sorry you are having a rough time. You bring so much happiness to people with your books – I hope you have a long period of peace coming to you.
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Even in Canada we need to hear this! There is so much unrest altho we are very lucky to have the freedoms we have. Thank you for making us think about our blessings.
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Welcome back, Linda. We have missed you. Thanks for this message. It’s something we all have to hear, but you have said it so much better than most of us could have done. We owe so much to so many for being able to live in this wonderful country which is the U.S.A.
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Welcome back. My sentiments exactly. A veteran here in Australia also asked us to remember those who have served and are struggling with the ongoing consequences of having served. Lest we forget
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Welcome back! I agree with what you say on this day honoring all the veterans. They fought for our right to speak our thoughts.
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So glad to have you back, Linda. I’ve missed you and really enjoyed your blog today. Blessings
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Happy to hear from you again and happy to hear you are doing better. You are so right! Everyone seems to think their opinion is the only correct one. The art of compromise seems to have disappeared.
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Linda, so well said. Thank you for putting into words the ideals we should all remember.
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I have to agree with your one this. Not sure where this world is going to now
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Welcome back! Can’t wait to read new books you have coming out next year!
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So good to hear from you again. Veterans in our family go all the way bk to the civil war, you are so right we can never thank them enough!!
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Wonderful to hear from you.
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Missed you!
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Linda, so glad to hear you are on the mend. Thinking of you always. Hooray to all our Vets today and always.
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Linda, so glad to hear from you. Keep up the good work and continue to enjoy the holidays. Take care.
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So glad to hear from you, Linda Lael Miller. Hope things have eased up for you. Looking forward to your next book. Keep the faith.
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My husband served in Viet Nam and cautioned not to wear his uniform as he deplaned in San Francisco because of the many anti-war protests. How nice the trend has turned and our veterans are being given the honors they deserve.
I, too, am so happy to get your blog again. I’m hoping it will become a regular thing again. I loved Yankee Widow and look forward to the next book in that series. A recent B&N email told of another book coming out early 2020. I can hardly wait.
Please blog again soon! I have a wonderful program in Butler County KY for veterans to tell others about.
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Glad your back!!!! Miss hearing from you.
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Dear Linda,
So very glad to hear from you again!
I live in Canada and am very grateful to all our Veterans around this wonderful albeit troubled world. I was diagnosed with lung and breast cancer this late summer and I thank you for your books dear friend as they have allowed me to travel to the wonderful places you write about.
God bless you and welcome home to all of us!
Love ,Sharon
xx
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Since I went backwards with my emails , Will see you next time.
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Welcome back! You’ve been much missed!
Blessings to you.