Rollin' with the flow

Had a nice visit with Granddad last night. At first I thought he was in a foul mood…cussing everything from the gal he thinks might be stealing food from the retirement home to the democrat party in general. At one point he pointed to a spot on the floor and told me the “help” was stealing his macadamia nuts: that crushed nut on the carpet was his proof.

I asked if it wasn’t possible that he might have dropped one on his lap when HE was eating them, and it rolled onto the floor when he stood up, but he refused to entertain the possibility. I didn’t want him to get testy on me so I let it drop.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes while I tried to think of something to talk about that was a little more positive. I finally decided at the ripe old age of 93, he’s earned the right to complain about anything he likes. I just need to learn to roll with it.

Inspired, I leaned forward and showed him a stain on my pants leg.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Bubblegum!” I announced, outraged. Then I told him about my dinner at IHOP the night before and how I figure someone must have put their gum on the bench where my leg was, disgusting!

That set him off on the thoughtlessness of people and we didn’t have a lag in the conversation after that.

He really is a cool old man. And I learn something about life in general every time we visit. ;-)

Letter from a listener

Dear Diane

I have been listening to you this am and I wanted to let you know that my husband (Sgt Troy Truax) in also one of the brave gentlemen that will be going to Iraq also leaving January 2nd. He is leaving behind a 11 & 7 year old daughter and a 16 month old son. That there is the hardest yet to swallow, doing my best to make sure that this little boy will remember his daddy. So if you would please play by Toby Keith “American Soldier” . That would mean the world to my family and thanks from a brave wife who is giving her soldier up for the next year.

God Bless
Shannon M Truax


Hi Shannon....missed your email til just now, so I'm sorry 'bout that! I just took a look at my lineup and I think I can do that today, hope you're still listening.

One of my "missions" in this war is to support you family members left behind when Guardsmen are deployed. I grew up in the military and having daddy gone was a natural part of our lives. But for you families, it's a jolting, terrifying slam to the life you know and I'm aware of that.

So I'm going to tell you what I tell all my "mommies" when their hubbies get deployed:

You can talk to me and call me and cry and worry as much as you want and need to...(or your friends and family of course), but please try to remember that YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG FOR YOUR CHILDREN. I absolutely know how hard that will be, I know what I'm saying to you, but I promise you, I ADORE MY MOTHER and I know it's partly because of her amazing strength raising five little kids while Dad was shipboard for two YEARS at a time.

So take heart: you are not alone in your daily battle...you've got me to lean on anytime you need to vent, but be strong for your precious children because that's what they will remember about you as they grow up. Be the rock, Mama, be their rock.

God bless those who serve,
diane