I cry everytime I hear the Star Spangled Banner played. It doesn't matter if the melody sounds over the loudspeaker before the local baseball game or whether it's played solemnly before a ceremony. The results are always the same.
Only seven days and I will be celebrating our nation's birthday traditionally with summer outdoor swimming, a rodeo and BBQ topped off with the traditional fireworks (thanks to Bruce Willis once again!). My family will be joining me as we caravan to Sun Valley, Idaho ready to recreate and celebrate together. I can hardly wait!
I wonder if those living on this continent 234 years ago dreamt of future days with celebration and BBQ's. Probably not. Their dreams were of freedom, family and founding a new country. Each step taken toward that precious goal of independence placed our forefathers at risk of meeting the hangman's noose. Yet still they moved forward until that day when the United States of America came into being.
Today as Americans, we face very real threats, domestic and abroad, to our same beloved United States. As we celebrate that great day of independence won more than two centuries ago, let us remember those brave men and women of our military forces who face no less a risk as those men and women living during the early 1770's. Let us honor them and those who served before by honoring our country, covering our heart as the Star Spangled Banner is played or even better, standing in respect as the flag is displayed. Let us raise our voices and join in proudly declaring our Pledge of Allegiance and joining in song as we proclaim, "...the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave".
Thank you to our soldiers for their loyal service and sacrifice to the preservation of that freedom won more than two hundred years ago!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A quiet night of reflection...
Musk and bamboo filled my senses as I walked through the door. Immediately below my feet a great oval with each symbol representing the Zodiac spread out to look like a vast welcoming mat, painted on tile. A tiny chime sounded to the right of me as I breathed in the peaceful expanse of this place.
Sitting next to the Koi fish lazily drifting in and out of reeds just inches away, I unveiled a secret.
"It doesn't matter really," are the only words with meaning this day. Life goes on and on and on. Who we share this part of ourselves with are brought to be with us for a reason. There are no coincidences. But what of those loved ones we feel deep in our soul, the ones we know should be with us always but are not? There are no accidents. Those we love from before this time are with us always and will be with us again, if not in this life, then in the next. Perhaps that loved one is waiting for us, for the next lifetime, the next reunion. We feel their presence, something familiar. That Deja vu moment that cannot be dismissed. And then the purest truth is felt as a new memory is discovered...the recognition of loved ones not forgotten. To not be with us in this very moment at this very time "...doesn't matter really" because he (or she) will be with us again, when it is time again. No coincidences, no accidents.
Sitting next to the Koi pond, my soul sister next to me, I am at peace.
Sitting next to the Koi fish lazily drifting in and out of reeds just inches away, I unveiled a secret.
"It doesn't matter really," are the only words with meaning this day. Life goes on and on and on. Who we share this part of ourselves with are brought to be with us for a reason. There are no coincidences. But what of those loved ones we feel deep in our soul, the ones we know should be with us always but are not? There are no accidents. Those we love from before this time are with us always and will be with us again, if not in this life, then in the next. Perhaps that loved one is waiting for us, for the next lifetime, the next reunion. We feel their presence, something familiar. That Deja vu moment that cannot be dismissed. And then the purest truth is felt as a new memory is discovered...the recognition of loved ones not forgotten. To not be with us in this very moment at this very time "...doesn't matter really" because he (or she) will be with us again, when it is time again. No coincidences, no accidents.
Sitting next to the Koi pond, my soul sister next to me, I am at peace.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
One Summer Evening in June
Enjoying the weekend with the rain and cooler-than-average temps for summer. It gives me an excuse to sit peacefully with my laptop and create the sequel.
Books Signing
Internet Interview - July 22nd
Posted by Marti Melville on June 12, 2010 at 12:10 PM
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Check out the Calendar section on my website for recent Updates:
July 22nd - I will be doing a "Live" interview on Deanna Jewel's website (http://deannajewel.com/). Visit her site and post a question for me to answer. You will automatically be entered into a CONTEST to win a gift basket at the end of the interview!
Marti
www.martimelville.com
Posted by Marti Melville on June 12, 2010 at 12:10 PM
delete edit comments (0)
Check out the Calendar section on my website for recent Updates:
July 22nd - I will be doing a "Live" interview on Deanna Jewel's website (http://deannajewel.com/). Visit her site and post a question for me to answer. You will automatically be entered into a CONTEST to win a gift basket at the end of the interview!
Marti
www.martimelville.com
Press Release - Intermountain Stories, June 1, 2010
Press Release in Intermountain Stories - May 2010
Posted by Marti Melville on June 7, 2010 at 1:55 PM
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Intermountain Stories ran the following article on Marti featuring "Midnight Omen Deja vu" :
A standing ovation to Marti Melville, RN, nurse manager in Intermountain’s Salt Lake Home Health office, who had her first novel published in May. Her book, "Midnight Omen Déjà vu", hasn’t been released to the public yet but is available at www.publishamerica.net/product91952.html for a discounted price when you use coupon code discount20.
“Marti has a deep love of history, which is the rich basis for this book,” says Cynthia Brandon of Employee Health at Intermountain Medical Center. One of the characters in Marti’s story is modeled after Cynthia, who’s one of Marti’s very close friends. Midnight Omen Déjà is a historical novel that takes place in the Caribbean in the 18th century. It began as a fun story for her grandchildren but turned into a more detailed account of a blood-thirsty pirate. “There have been some interesting contacts develop in the short time this novel has been published,” says Marti. “I had dreamt of rubbing shoulders with the Historical Society, but am finding myself making great friends with the ‘pirate and faerie’ crowd — they’re very creative, exciting, and fun people!”
Marti has been contacted for book signings in various states and been asked to speak to the League of Utah Writers in October. She’s also had bookstores contact her to order copies of her book and she’s working with a Los Angeles cameraman on a book trailer.
“Most of us just dream about what we’d like to be when we grow up, and some act on it,” says Cynthia. “Those people are genuine inspirations to me. Marti is one of those people.” Marti is currently working on a writing degree through BYU.
To read more about her book, use the link above.
Posted by Marti Melville on June 7, 2010 at 1:55 PM
delete edit comments (0)
Intermountain Stories ran the following article on Marti featuring "Midnight Omen Deja vu" :
A standing ovation to Marti Melville, RN, nurse manager in Intermountain’s Salt Lake Home Health office, who had her first novel published in May. Her book, "Midnight Omen Déjà vu", hasn’t been released to the public yet but is available at www.publishamerica.net/product91952.html for a discounted price when you use coupon code discount20.
“Marti has a deep love of history, which is the rich basis for this book,” says Cynthia Brandon of Employee Health at Intermountain Medical Center. One of the characters in Marti’s story is modeled after Cynthia, who’s one of Marti’s very close friends. Midnight Omen Déjà is a historical novel that takes place in the Caribbean in the 18th century. It began as a fun story for her grandchildren but turned into a more detailed account of a blood-thirsty pirate. “There have been some interesting contacts develop in the short time this novel has been published,” says Marti. “I had dreamt of rubbing shoulders with the Historical Society, but am finding myself making great friends with the ‘pirate and faerie’ crowd — they’re very creative, exciting, and fun people!”
Marti has been contacted for book signings in various states and been asked to speak to the League of Utah Writers in October. She’s also had bookstores contact her to order copies of her book and she’s working with a Los Angeles cameraman on a book trailer.
“Most of us just dream about what we’d like to be when we grow up, and some act on it,” says Cynthia. “Those people are genuine inspirations to me. Marti is one of those people.” Marti is currently working on a writing degree through BYU.
To read more about her book, use the link above.
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