"22 Miles to Raise Awareness for Veterans Stuggling with PTSD"

Seaford, Delaware 12/20/15 Operation Yellow Spear held another event to raise awareness for veterans issues. Suicide claims the lives of many soldier' each day due to PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, depression and substance abuse. OYS has been working to bring such topics to the public and encourage people to get involved and reaching out to those who are in need. 

 

On Sunday, December 20th, Richard K. Pope and Jeremy Dulis launched on a 22 mile journey from Millsboro, DE to Seaford, DE. Leaving at 5:45 AM they arrived at Gateway Park around 3:15 PM. During their walk, local reporter from ABC 47 (WMDT) Julian Sadur caught up with them and took a selfie. Link to the facebook post and Julian's selfie here

You can find his page at https://www.facebook.com/juliansadurtv

"Firehouses of Delmarva" on Maryland's Eastern Shore

These photos are featuring vehicles, departments and apparatus from eastern shore departments. The Delmarva Peninsula includes eight counties in Maryland and some of these were taken at shows or events, or just stopping at a fire house. You can see all the albums for local fire, rescue and emergency equipment on Flickr.

• Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Department
• (Somerset County)
• Website

Maryland's Eastern Shore Towns: Snow Hill (Worcester County, MD)

Midway between Berlin and Pocomoke, just off Route 113 and situated along the banks of the Pocomoke River, sits the town of Snow Hill. It's a lovely little town, a wonderful place for an afternoon visit or day trip from nearby Ocean City, MD (about 35 minutes north). There are small and distinctive shops, eateries, antique stores and more. If you go, you simply must take some time to just look at the historic buildings along the main streets with their architectural details and beautiful brickwork. Check out the links at the bottom of this post for more info on this town!

"A Beautiful Light Has Gone Out In Our World"

On Monday the news arrived just after 9PM. First a text, which I missed initially, leaving me to read the words we thought wouldn't come quite so soon on Facebook. We messaged and shared the sad update, felt the loss across our laptops, states, groups and hearts, and we grieved for her husband.

Dispatch from Hell: Return to the Craft Fair Circuit

After a long time of not being on the show scene, today I plunged back in. It's been a decade since I've done these types of events and over a year since leaving the world of retail. Earlier in the day I attempted a tongue in cheek list of things I would do and not do, since setting goals seemed reasonable, right?

Thoughts on Life: Friendship and Respect

Friends may appear in many different forms. It may not always be what you think someone is, but rather who they turn out to be.

"What Lies Beneath: Struggling To Learn"

I've been dying inside for a long time now, just waiting for "the perfect thing". I'm not wishing for a fancy trip around the globe, or a huge diamond ring, or even a million-dollar house; part of me is just constantly, desperately, craving a way to let out some of the words and creativity and passion that is stuck deep down inside my soul.

"Christmas in Motion" Holiday Light Show in Pittsville, Maryland

It's that time of year again!

"Christmas in Motion" is a holiday light display located off Route 50 in Wicomico County, MD. Tucked back in the woods of Pittsville, sits a house with an amazing array of lights which are skillfully displayed and choreographed to music. Just tune your car stereo into the station and listen right along with many popular holiday melodies.

One Step Away: Our New Threat

I'm not defending the violence in today's world or making excuses for people who spin out of control and take lives, just pointing out the increasing numbers of people who are angry, bitter, hurting, and on the edge. So many appear to be just a few steps away from a breakdown, and tragically some cases end with individuals taking their own lives; is it a final grasp for attention? A desperate wake up call? Maybe all these things that are happening are showing us just how broken our society is.

We Can All Reach Out to Someone This Holiday Season

For some people the holiday season can be anything but festive. The constant expectations and images of "perfect" family gatherings and homes filled with loved ones can leave many of us feeling empty and deflated.  During the next month let's each reach out to someone who could use a friend.

Life after "Death of a Small Business"; One Year Later

I caught sight of that old familiar excitement again over the weekend - not as passionate or energetic as it once was - but still, it was a glimpse of interest towards something new. I've been struggling to find myself again following the closing a beloved small business after almost two decades.

Days of the Year | National Monopoly Day is November 19th

It started as an innocent Google search for the origin of this holiday, celebrating one of the most loved/hated/adored/despised board games. Ever. Once I started finding amusing graphics, giggling and spitting across the keyboard it was time to share them with you.

Considered by some as "the most popular board game in the world", it is based on a game designed in 1902 by Elizabeth Magie. Published by Parker Brothers in 1935, it's estimated that more than 5 million people have played it. (wow. but they didn't all "play", ha ha)

  

   

 

 

 

YOU'RE WELCOME.

Thanks for stopping by my blog ~ 😊

community first • marketing consultant • advocate for small business • lover

of classic cars • beach girl • believer that "together we accomplish more"

    

"Operation Yellow Spear" Veteran Suicide Rally Saturday, November 14th

I wish I could have put some of the things I noticed that afternoon into words sooner but I wasn't able to process them right away. It's hard to explain how a stranger's name, written on a 3x5 index card, could mean anything significant and yet on that piece of paper titled "Battle card"were the words "Your hero".


Unsure of what it stood for, I took the card handed to me as we entered the church for a Veterans Suicide Prevention rally, a follow up to a previous "22 Too Many" event. Held in June, that was the first time I came face to face with some of the sobering facts about PTSD, soldiers and silent suffering. That afternoon at a local American Legion was informative and well run by a young man, but to compare the two events side by side was like night and day. I'm glad I got to be a part of both because five months later, standing in a church with an index card in my hand, it's sinking in that this problem isn't going away. And because that young man is even more dedicated to getting the word out now, today a larger number of us are gathered together in support of this cause. Words on posters and used frequently throughout the event were art, love, and grace, three things that were meant to epitomize this mission and steps of healing and assistance.

It was a few minutes into the program when images began to slide across the overhead screen. We saw faces of soldiers; read the words listing names and ranks; saw photos of men and women in uniform who served their country and came home from war. Because here at home - not overseas - is where they lost their battle.We were asked to stand when the name on our card appeared on the screen. As we rose to our feet you could see strangers focusing on the screen, connecting for the first time with a face and a name.



I stood in honor of Cpl Antonio F Trejo, US Marine Corps. Someone I knew nothing about before Saturday is now an index card lying here on my desk as a reminder to pass this on. He was a son, a guy who loved his dog and his Jeep; dedicated to being a Marine. He was a father. He lost his battle with PTSD on August 2nd, 2013 at the age of 25 and yes, now I know who he is; Cpl. Trejo is one of the 22 soldiers who die each day.

I'm not going to go into details about Operation Yellow Spear, because I want to encourage you to visit the site and learn for yourself. I'm just the messenger, bringing you a few words and a link; asking you to check out a newly established organization dedicated to this cause. I already knew that supporting our soldiers who are deployed is a great thing to do - and now I see that being there when they return could be even more important. To that end, please check out, like and share Operation Yellow Spear at https://www.facebook.com/operationyellowspear

News story from local tv station WMDT:
http://www.wmdt.com/news/more-local-news/22-Veterans-commit-suicide-daily/36460578

Site where I found Cpl. Trejo's information:
http://lcpllutzlivetotell.org/2014/08/antonio-f-trejo-25/

Saturday's event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1070671152958166/

"You Find Out Who Your Friends Are" (Actions Speak Louder)

Deep down, I'm sure we all know this already, that when crap hits the fan we're going to see the real side of someone. Right?

A Homegoing Celebration | Goodbye, Mr. Sanchez

It's difficult to put into words just what attending Mr. Sanchez's service was like yesterday. It was something I don't believe many of us have experienced but it was a beautiful ceremony for a man who was so loved. What people gathered to say about him; the words that his. friends and family reached for to tell his story; those are the things that speak to a life lived for others. I didn't think it was possible to hear the word kindness used so often while describing a person, but it was unarguably the most fitting.

Sierra's Story

Sierra was born with a congenital heart defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). She bravely battled two open heart surgeries before the age of one. Over the next few years Sierra led a happy, fun filled life, doing everything all children her age love to do. 

Then on April 14, 2011 as she glided gracefully up and down the lacrosse field, her life changed forever. Without warning, Sierra had gone into cardiac arrest and had collapsed on the field. If not for a couple of off duty nurses who performed CPR, her life could have been cut tragically short. Sierra was rushed to the hospital, and over the next few weeks she was consumed by tests and studies to find out what was wrong. Doctors at AI DuPont Hospital determined that she had a compressed left main coronary artery, and a pulmonary valve insufficiency. 

 

After recovering from

The Hungarian Revolution 1956 | Coming to America

June 17th, 2015

My dad has been gone for twenty years now....and it takes my breath away to say that. I cannot believe it's been two decades since he left us. He passed one week after his 60th birthday; due in part I think to a difficult life and a sadness inside of him he could never heal. My father left a war-torn country at his parents urging; they had lost everything and knew their son was young enough to make a new life in a free land. He arrived here with almost nothing, possessing only the sponsorship from a distant relative in the US which made the journey possible.





Louis did the opposite of what so many these days do. He worked four jobs to put himself through college and then grad school. He studied hard, learned flawless English and was so very proud of becoming an American citizen. While in school in California he met my mother and they married, just as he was offered a job with the government in Washington, DC. For almost 30 years dad was an economist for the US Commerce Department, living in the suburbs of northern Virginia. It was everything that one may have thought "the American dream" was.


Dad spoke little of his past, hesitating to go back to that painful time when Communists overtook their country. His own father died in prison and although we returned to "the homeland" many times it was never easy for him to accept what had happened. Sadly, as an adult now I can see the effects that life had on him and realize that so much sadness and loss was buried inside someone who could rarely speak about it. Sixty years and one week is such a short life....I was only 22 when I had to say goodbye.


There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things and although I say little about it, it hurts to see the freedom of this country taken advantage of. My dad embraced what America stood for, placed lights in the windows during the Iran hostage crisis and cried like a baby when they were released. Despite not being born here he had more patriotic spirit than so many. To this day, to me, it is a slap in the face to see how people disrespect our flag and nation. When you come from nothing perhaps you appreciate things more....I learned so much from my father. I just wish there had been more time.

It's been a year

I've been lying on the floor with ice packs all day, trying to squash this headache that's draped across my brain and crawling down my neck. It's been a year since I said goodbye. Twelve months ago I was still struggling to let go - since then a lot has happened but not the things I was hoping for, or that I needed to begin again. Somehow, I seem to have lost my place in the world. I don't fit in anymore and I know so much more than I ever wanted to about people.



I know now that some people can lie - easily and convincingly, and that if you don't see it you might get sucked in. I did, fell for something that wasn't real and believed it "could be" the next step for me after closing those doors - but what I reassured myself was out there as a new adventure and fresh start was just smoke and mirrors.



I realize now that some people let you in their worlds with a clause. Should one thing disturb whatever friendship you may have it's possible for them to just walk, regardless of circumstances. We may all do and say stupid things - some of those actions might take the cake on the scale of inappropriate words - but I'd never cut someone out of my life without a word. Now I know that forgiveness isn't at the core of some hearts and that's been incredible to learn and is something I never saw it coming. Having the ability to screw up is human - to forgive apparently requires something else.



I see that some people stick by you regardless of if you can be of use or benefit to them. The people that you might have casually dismissed as "acquaintances" could be the ones reaching out the hand of kindness. I know that now and am incredibly grateful for so many who came through for me without expecting a thing in return - they turned out to be angels when I thought there was nothing. When you see the quotes about kindness and doing things for others without looking to see what's in it for you....well, that's how it is and should be. No false pretenses.



I'm different and unusual and don't fit in to the traditional norms for a wide variety of reasons. It means I'm still struggling to find my next steps or the new beginning I thought was right around the corner - because twelve months later it's no where to be seen. Despite the good in my life that doesn't fix everything, and I'm getting more desperate each day. Starting to panic and thinking that I may never find my place in this world.

My friend Judy told me a year ago - we discussed it the last time she came to see me - this.
I just can't find the sun right now.



How I'm still feeling - twelve months later......

Eastern Shore Fallen Officer Memorial

                             
This memorial is located in Rhodesdale, Maryland and honors the memory and service of law enforcement from our local counties along the Eastern Shore. Those counties include: Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester, Cecil and also Maryland Natural Resources and Marine Police departments. It was dedicated May 22, 2009.

Names of the fallen officers http://www.mdle.net/espa/memorial.htm

LINKS

http://www.mdle.net/espa/

http://campespa.org/memorial_wall.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-Shore-Police-Association/162559170437592