Light a candle for the protection of yourself and those you love!!

Today The Brady group decided that the best way for them to fight violence was to light a bunch of candles and once again decry all guns. After all guns make the violence right??

Not so much. Weer'd had this brilliant idea that we stand up as well today and fight the cause not the tool. I simply love this idea. For years I was afraid all of the time. When we had the apartment shooting I was so shaken and disturbed by it and for months I was frozen in fear. I knew things needed to change. I needed to change. It was a very slow change. Like years. I accepted that we needed a gun in the house for protection but I was to afraid to handle it myself. My husband gave gentle pushes but wasn't forceful and he listened and talked. Then we had a conversation that changed everything once we moved to southern Nevada. I said I wasn't sure I could take a life if faced with that choice. I probably could to defend the kids but not myself and he looked at me and he said, "Babe, If you were dead who would protect our girls when I work? If you were battered and broken because you chose to give in rather than fight what would that teach the girls? Wouldn't you want them to fight?"

I had never thought about it like that. I never realized that the fight wasn't just against evil but for something. So now I have my beautiful HK P2000. To protect myself. To protect my family. To inspire them to be strong and courageous in the face of evil. A candle is beautiful and thoughtful and great and holding of just a tiny bit of the dark but add a gun to the mix and you can not only light the way but fight the darkness back and win. So win. Win for yourself. Win for your loved ones. You are worth it!

Now look in our side bar and go see some of the other wonderful blogs for today and our fight for the protection of the ones we love against violence!! Brigid has a particularly beautiful blog up!

What true strength and love looks like.

I have several military wives as friends. Some prepping for new deployments, some just got their men home, others just moved to new bases. They have always been a vision of strength for me. One friend is a Marine Wife. Those of you who were or were married to that branch know they each have their own unique worries. My friend like most keeps up with other wives and blogs of same. One wife's blog has spread like wildfire recently. Her husband was KIA just a few weeks ago and she blogged about learning of that and his funeral and just posted again because his homecoming would have been today. Her strength is what true strength is. That she is sharing how raw and tender she is feeling right now is awing and humbling. I cried. A lot. Her husband was a hero and in my eyes so is she.

Inspiring strength.

I am a reader. I read pretty much every day and in many forms. I was led to a blog that took my breath away. Reading the journey this couple took through an incredibly devestating blow touched me profoundly. I like to think I am a strong woman but the strngth displayed here was awe inspiring. It reminded me of how blessed I am despite the losses and the fight it took to carry to term and have my babies. Their story showed me that no matter the obstacle faith can and does see us through. So tonight as you look to your life please remember that blessings abound even in the darkest of moments. Miracles are there though it may be in the least expected form. Strength is inside you though you fear.