Happy Veteran's Day!

I went to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our vets this week. (Having national holidays off is an excellent perk to working in DC.) I want you all to see what I saw, which may be difficult since I don't have a camera, but Google Images and I will do our best.


My intention was to attend the wreathing ceremony conducted by Vice President Biden, but I realized that 45 minutes early is, apparently, not early enough. I was bummed about not being able to attend, because only ONE section of the cemetery was open while the VP was present. It was the Iraq/Afghanistan Section. Boy was I glad I missed the ceremony and went there instead!


Passing through the never-ending rows of headstones was humbling. Reality hit a little harder with each step as I passed the newly-created graves that had not yet been tucked-in tight with sod; as if they were children put to bed without their blankets. There was one grave that hit me HARD. His name was Scott. Scott was born only two years before me and died just a few months ago while I was on Spring Break visiting my family. Below his name was engraved Beloved Son, Husband, and Father. Just below that, on the grass, was an awkward arrangement made of fallen leaves and a stick; evidence of a grieving child. I was glad to be wearing sunglasses to hide my tears.


I wish you all could see the families who were there to visit someone specific. My favorite family was a couple in their 50s (?). They were camped-out in their red lawn chairs facing one of the many plain, white headstones. Neither of them said more than a word or two or even diverted their eyes to much else. They just sat in their solemnity, eyes forward. As I passed by, I noticed the individual to which they were paying tribute had died earlier this year and was only a few years older than myself. It was beautiful to see their tender love and respect, yet heart-wrenching to witness their sorrow.

As I wandered through the hundreds of thousands of graves, I couldn't help but think about why so many men and women had to die. I came up with multiple answers, but they all ultimately came back to one thing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This nation was founded and has been protected so that the Gospel could be restored again and have a place to thrive. Our country has had to interfere with other nations' conflict so that the Gospel could continue to roll forth throughout the world.

I think John F. Kennedy said it all:

The energy, the faith, the devotion
which we bring to this endeavor
will light our country
and all who serve it,
and the glow from that fire
can truly light the world.

I am truly grateful to those who have sacrificed so much for this great cause. Both those who are selfless enough to risk their lives, and those who are selfless enough to let their loved ones risk their lives. Thank you Veterans!!

My Good Friend Norman

I went to an exhibit featuring Norman Rockwell at the Smithsonian American Art Museum today. It was delightful! Norman Rockwell truly had a gift for telling stories by capturing expression. As a result of this gift, he stirs all sorts of emotions in his audience. Not only is it fun to see the expressions captured in his paintings, but also to see the expressions of those viewing his works. Of all the paintings they had on display (which I am guessing is only a small collection), I have decided to share my favorites with you. Just remember, I am not an art critic, I am a 24 year old girl who loves to laugh and dream. We'll save the best for last, shall we? (All of the images in this blog post have come from Google Images.)

7. The JuryI just love the variety of expression and body language. My favorite is the female juror. You can just see the frustration she is creating in that room, yet she is standing firm.

6. Peach Crop

One word: Romantic. I must tell you the story behind this one: The young man is a medical student, working to earn his last year's tuition on a peach orchard, while his wealthy, beautiful, socialite fiancee is away in the city. In this scene the sharecropper's daughter has injured herself and the young man comes to her rescue only to realize she has stolen his heart. I feel like Anne of Green Gables when I think about it, putting myself in the place of that poor, distressed damsel.

5. Window Washer
How can you not chuckle at this one? I would love to be on the receiving end of that wink. I like to think they have met before, but she wants a guy with more class. Luckily for her, he's persistent, and they'll eventually end up together. Doesn't it seem like a scene from Thoroughly Modern Millie?

4. The Flirts
I absolutely love this one. I didn't just chuckle at this one. I full-out laughed. I just love the expressions of the two men in the truck. I think she made their day, and I'll bet they made hers too; she's just not willing to show it.

3. Three Gossips
This painting is hilarious to me. I wish I knew the details of the background better. Apparently Norman had a difficult time finding models who were goofy-looking enough. He eventually settled on a male model who posed for all three of the women. Apparently Norman thoroughly enjoyed watching his friend prancing around the studio dressed as a woman. The best part though, is the expression of the woman standing next to me. I don't know if I can put it into words: confusion, repulsion, weirded-out? I don't think she had read the background of it yet.

2. Boy Reading Adventure Story
I do this when I read. I have lived on prairies while Captain Jack tried to steal my heart; I have worked in potato fields in Poland while hiding from Nazis; I have lived in a bright pink house and harvested honey with black women; I have ridden down a hill in a Red Flyer with my good buddy Hobbes; I have been the Italian heiress of my deceased mother's fortune; I have rejected the proposal of Mr. Collins, but not without laughing; I have attended Hogwarts; I have escaped from the Chateau d'If, I have survived in the wilderness with nothing but a hatchet; I once made a sponge cake with real sponges on accident; I have survived the Fire Swamp and R.O.U.S.s with my true love.

1. Going and Coming
Oh the expression! I love to see the changes in everyone's (except for Grandma's) expressions. This one strikes home. Family vacations always seem like a good idea, but they are exhausting on so many levels!

After going through this exhibit and reading all the personal stories from Norman Rockwell's life, I truly feel as though I have made a dear friend. I just kept thinking how much he would have loved to see the many expressions of his admirers: reminiscent, jolly, proud, touched, content, weirded-out, sympathetic, analytical, patriotic. It was as if you could see the child within each individual by the looks on their faces. The expression I repeatedly found coming to my face was pure delight with a full, toothy smile.