A couple of days ago my husband and I went out to dinner at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Monroe, MI.  It's the closest one to our house and a straight shot up I-75, so off we went!  As usual, the food was tasty, hot and plentiful.  And, as usual, we ate too much - so time to walk a little of it off.

And what better place to do that than the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial at Heck Park in Monroe.

Personally, I find it very difficult to go to these memorials.  I lost several dear friends in that confrontation and it still hurts today.  But that is another story.

Having had quite a snowfall in the preceding few days, the entire park glistened  like it was sprinkled with diamonds.  And even though it is located on a busy road it felt as though I was far from everything - transported to another time.

As I walked along and looked up at the helicopter in display I looked at the faces of the 'men' inside.   And my mind wandered to the sacrifices made by those in the military, those that have served and the families that remain to support them and pray for them.  It made me realize that if it were not for those that serve, we would not be able to wander public spaces without interference.

If you look closely you will see that there is an American flag inside the chopper behind the pilots.  A reminder that they performed their missions for us - for ALL of us.

I could not take my eyes off the chopper.  Nor could I stop thinking about our servicemen and women today.  Those that won't be home with their families, and those that won't ever be home again.

We, as a nation, owe them so very much.  If not for them our freedoms would be non-existent and the ability to be on AR posting opinions and views would probably be unheard of.

As I was walking back through the park I noticed a sledding hill on the back side.  There was quite a bit of activity going on and the young people back there were having a ball!  The snow was glazed with a think layer of ice and perfect for picking up speed on the way down.  I envied them for a moment, then thought better of it.  Being a member of the "brittle bones age group" I knew better than to even try it. 

But I have to admit ----------- it certainly looked like fun!  Ahhhhhh, for those days of innocence and invincibility.

The sun was setting quickly and the message from On High was becoming very apparent ---- It's time to go.  Time to get back into the warm truck and return home to feed the dog, cat and fish.  Time to return to responsibilities that are entrusted to us all by a much higher power.  God was closing the curtains --- a couple of inches at a time.