Memorial Day

This past weekend Mr. B and I watched the movie Pearl Harbor. I can't believe I've never seen it before. Last December we were at Pearl Harbor on the 70th anniversary of the attack. I'd had some profound emotional experiences while there, feeling very connected to the brave soldiers who fought, many to their death, at that landmark. But something very powerful grabbed my chest and held my breath while watching the movie. Having just been there only 6 months ago, watching the scenes play out in our quiet little living room made the entire experience come alive to me.

I cried. Or rather, I sobbed. For hours. Mr. B became very concerned.


I felt the weight of the world's injustices bearing down on my heart. I ached for each of those men and women, and then I ached for the men and women fighting around the world right now. And then I ached for the poor and the suffering and the lonely. And my heart broke.

I know that seems pretty dramatic. I've never in my life responded to a movie like that, but it all felt so very real. I've been giving a lot of thought as of late to all of the sadness and pain around the world, so watching a depiction of war and death seemed to offer a culminating capstone for my thoughts, pushing the tears over the edge.

God bless America. God bless the soldiers serving to protect our freedoms. And God bless the poor. And the suffering. And the lonely.

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
- Abraham Lincoln

Beginning with Audible UGHs

myhouseismessy.mybossisreallygettingundermyskin.blowdryingmyhairissuchawasteoftimeandihatethatihavetodoiteveryday.wehavenoacanditisgettingreallyhotoutside.thereisneverenoughmoney.thereisneverenoughtime.ihatedecidingwhatisfordinner.iamtired.workisboring.iamnotasgoodasiwouldliketobeateverythingthatilove.myclothesareoldandoutofstyle.myheadisthrobbingatthetemples.whydoessugartastesogoodifitissobadforyouiamsickofwork.walmartlinesonasaturday.oranytimeforthatmatter.ihateitwhensomeonegetspickedon.orleftout.ormadefunof.ihatewhenlifejustisnotfair.carproblems.laundry.thatbellyfat.myfeetarecold.gettingstuckintrafficafteralongdayatwork.whycantpeoplelearnhowtocommunicate.whatisfordinnertonight.dontjustkeeppickingatyournailswhilesittingrightnexttome.getanailclipper.thedishesnevergoaway.myneighborsjudgeme.ijudgethemback.thehusbandcantreadmymine.iwastesomuchtime.myskinisdry.imselfish.tryingtodeveloparelationshipwiththeinlaws.waitingforthebusinthecold.tvremotebatteriesdied.canijustquitmyjob.happinessissofleeting.everyoneisbetterthaniam.badhairday.forgottotakealunchtowork.didntknowitwassupposedtorainatthesametimeihavetoruninandoutofabillionstores.myeyewontstoptwitching.mybedspreadisdirty.ihaveareallybadmemory.howdidwespendallthatmoney.becomingarunnerishard.myfeetsmell.thestorageroomneedstobecleanedout.ihavetogobacktoworktomorrow.somethingscratchedthekitchentable.wereoutoftoiletpaper.mrbhasacold.billsareexpensive.whycantpeopleparenttheirchildrenproperly.

There. I believe I've UGHed everything I need to. {If complaints are necessary, I may add them here...we'll see how long this post grows over the years.}

Sometimes my mouth pours out negativity like an open faucet without an off switch. Venting, complaining and criticizing. Who likes to hear all UGHs?

I'm on a quest to explore things that are beautiful, to take the time to be silent, and to keep a few UGHs to myself. Who knows, if I stop saying them out loud, maybe they'll go away altogether.

Mr. and Mrs. B.

From the first day of kindergarten I knew I had a choice--correct the pronunciation of my name or not. And decades later, same deal. 

My last name (maiden name) was easily readable from the class roll so no problems there, but my first name not so much. 

Honestly, I felt that made me unique, special. And since I've been married, I've legally accepted a last name pronunciation problem too. 

Bullough

Go ahead, take your best guess at first look. How would you say it?

Bulloff, Bulla, Bylow, even Bullock (where'd they get the "k" from?...)

I've heard all possible pronunciations in the short time I've been married to the wonderful Mr. B.

It's Bull-O.

Like Jell-o.

Like "bull" as in the animal and then "o" as in "dough."

Like "bowl" where you eat your favorite cereal... like a CheeriO.

Like B. and U. and L. L. O.

....the "ugh" is silent.