With Veteran's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd share some insight on how very simple gestures from complete strangers have inspired my husband and me on many occasions the past 21 years.  One of these moments occurred when my husband met me for lunch at Ruby Tuesday's.  He was dressed in his Army uniform because he had a meeting directly following our lunch date.  (I mention this because it's a rarity for him to meet me in a "civilian" establishment in his uniform.)  We were enjoying our lunch together discussing our children, plans for the week, home improvement projects, etc. 

Towards the end of our meal a woman paused at our table and touched my husband's shoulder.  She whispered "thank you", then quickly exited the restaurant.  This has happened several times since we've been in the Army (I say "we" as a spouse) and my reaction is the same every time.  I become overwhelmed with emotion and my eyes fill with tears.  Before either of us could respond verbally the kind stranger had disappeared leaving a gift she was completely unaware of; she unknowingly changed our outlook for the remainder of the day. 

We continued our lunch in silence as we both counted our many blessings, all of which were far from our minds only moments before.  As I stared proudly across the table at my husband in a new light, I suddenly felt overwhelmed with gratitude.  In that fleeting moment, I was reminded by the two simple words of a stranger just how LUCKY I was to be able to have lunch with my husband. 

A little while later our waitress approached our table with a giant smile and said, "your lunch has taken care of by one of our customers, as a ‘thank you'".  Again... we were speechless.  We asked by whom so we could personally thank them, but the waitress said the person "wished to remain anonymous". 

Wow, I can't even express how surprised and humbled we both felt, again.  The kindness of that thankful stranger warmed me from the inside out the remainder of the day.  Each time I think about the many "thank you's" we've received, I revisit the feeling of gratitude for my husband & all of our servicemen and women, and for the freedoms we enjoy.      

I left the restaurant that day inspired to "pass on" the gift of gratitude we had been blessed with.  I knew it didn't really matter what I chose to do, because every handshake and "thank you" we've received has touched us so deeply.  And although I know my husband and other soldiers do not expect to be thanked for "doing their jobs" (because they consider their service to our country both "an honor and a privilege"), it's amazing how two simple words remind them that their many silent sacrifices are sincerely appreciated.   

Please take a moment next time you see a soldier and their family to say "thank you".  They will be humbled and probably look very surprised and/or be left speechless, but I promise those two words will linger in their hearts for many hours, days & years to come, just as they have for us.  God Bless each of our service men, women, and their special children - may you all have a safe Veteran's Day!