It Takes a Lot to Make Me Cry

Yes, like many of you, I too have an emotional threshold that at times gives way and then the floodgates open and the tears just flow! It takes a lot to make me cry, but being the emotional person that I am, sometimes there are only tears that can rid me of all of the self-doubt, apprehension, disappointment and frustration that I might be feeling.

Well, that day came on Wednesday while having dinner with my son. It just all came spilling out—probably more because I'm just really tired. Working all day and then coming home and beginning on my passion, The Warrior Dog Project, takes a lot of physical and mental energy. Waking up at two thirty in the morning with thoughts racing of things still needing to be accomplished, I know I'm physically tired. Things seem to move slower than I'd like. One step forward, then two steps back. We've all experienced times like this. We know we have to work through the process, but it's still overwhelming.

A lot of you know me and know I'm pretty much up for most challenges. When I care about someone, I'll do anything for them. When I'm passionate about a cause there is no limit. Unable to eat and crying (I'm sure that was a real thrill for my poor son), he gently tried to remind me that not everyone shares my passion. Intellectually, I know that, but emotionally I don't understand it. He told me that I shouldn't hold others to my standards. Childishly, I wondered why. Never being someone you could call the norm, it's always been difficult to understand the way people think. It would do no good to ask me to fill out a survey or try to use me as a sample demographic because I just don't fit neatly into very many niches. It's not a bad thing or a good thing...it's just who I am.

Well, the tears finally subsided and we worked out some ways to push ahead with the Warrior Dog Project and try to continue to get the word out and motivate people to action. I've been out to Plano American Legion and to the Oswego Senior Center to give presentations. I've also taken time for presentations for the Oswego Optimist Club and the Rotary Club of Oswego. On Monday, I'll be a guest on WSPY TV with Barb Nadeau to talk about the project and what we'll be doing so this should also give us a start in getting the word out to others and hopefully get more people on board.

Every time I have a small success I celebrate because I know that it pushes the project toward its goal of helping disabled veterans and military working dogs. I think of those veterans down on their luck, physically, mentally or perhaps spiritually broken, with no place to live. Then I think about lending a hand and trying to provide a future—some hope—to these brave veterans and canines, and that keeps me going. They didn't give up. They served their country (man or dog) and now it's our honor and opportunity to serve them.

So, I tell myself to buck up and get your second wind. It'll all work out the way it's supposed to, but I'd like to control it and have it turn out the way I envision it. That's simply because I care. It's a surprise to me just how much I care. I'm sure there will be several more of those emotional volcanoes before these events are all done, but it's a body's way of telling us to slow down, let go, have a little faith. No matter what others do or don't do, the burning desire to help will push me forward.

Lots of help is still needed. Sometimes people ask, "What can I do?" The answer is really quite simple. You can set time, and some money, aside to attend one of the fundraisers. You could put just one dollar in an envelope and mail it to The Warrior Dog Project @ P.O. Box 249, Oswego, IL 60543. Just think about this: If each household in Oswego sent one dollar (that's less than a cup of coffee), it would easily garner substantial funds to help these deserving veterans (both two-legged and four-legged). 

I know there is a never-ending deluge of requests for this organization, that club, another event, etc. We can't do it all and I know that. Believe me, I do. But, I've always felt that our service members should be at the very top of our priority list. I can't emphasize that enough. They are there to protect, defend and promote democracy here and throughout the world. That should be important to ALL of us. Without a safe and secure country in which to live, all of our other priorities would be out the window.

Please go to my website—www.warriordog.co—and sign our guestbook. Leave a message of encouragement. Let others know what you're thinking and that you care. Tell everyone you know about the project. Give a small donation. Buy a ticket to one of the fundraisers (on-line). We don't live in a vacuum. We're all dependent upon one another. I might be the torchbearer, but if there's no one to lead, why would I need the light?

Thank you, and as always, live an inspired and patriotic life!