Once, a long time ago, but still feels like it was yesterday, I naively asked my Daddy, "what's the difference between Memorial Day and Labor Day?!!" Not really a good question to ask a retired navy man who served during WW2!! But thankfully, he swallowed his irritation and explained to me what exactly the day meant. I wish I could repeat to you word for word, and the passion behind those words his definition. I will never forget his voice as it wavered a bit when talking about planes that would leave the carrier but not come back, women waiting at the dock for their men to come home but being taken to the back of the carrier where they would unload the coffins. I never experienced a war. I was to young and to protected to know what Vietnam was, then the 80's, a few skirmishes and then 9-11. Suddenly so many men and women leaving our country to go far, far away, many coming back so different. Whether a lost limb, or the deadness in their eyes, all of a sudden I started to feel just how important Memorial Day was, I began to truly understand what my Daddy, my Father in law, my husband all felt. While it is only one day for us. For some, it is an every day memory. My father in law was in Vietnam when he was just 18, when we go back East to see Pete's family, we always find him at the VFW, many others with him, it's like the one place they can go to that they don't have to talk about it or they can talk about it all they want, and the ones that are there, understand, sipping their beers, occasionally saluting a fallen soldier, a fallen friend. 18 years old, when I was 18, it was about clothes and parties, college and cute guys, For them it was about survival. Then fast forward to 9-11 and my husband heading to the desert. Unlike his Dad, he doesn't even talk about the war, sometimes a brief mention, but every time the Star Spangled banner is played, his eyes "sweat" as he calls it. There are certain movies we don't watch and certain topics that aren't spoken about. Just like my Daddy and his Pops, the memories of the war they carry are mainly for the other soldiers. They want to protect us from the ugliness they saw. So this memorial Day, the least I can do is to thank all our fallen soldiers and the ones who came back with so many memories, that one day, sadly is not enough. So to all service men and women, thank you                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

This past weekend, Sunny 102, along with our sister stations invited people to come out and sell their treasures, arts and crafts, clothes, whatever. the largest yard sale, I believe it's our 4th annual, I say that because fortunatley, I was out of town every time it came around, but not this year!! I went, without my husband, and that old saying, one man's junk is another man's treasure....well, there was NO junk but lots of stuff I didn't even realize I needed!! I had such a blast!! Everyone was in a great mood, the weather was perfect and so were the vendors. Some of the coolest stuff I had never even seen in stores were all right before me and all at amazing prices! Yummy!! For those of you who missed it, no worries, I'll see you at next years and for those of you who were there, I can't wait to see you again!! I feel like I made yard sale friends!! Now keep in mind, I have never had a garage sale before!! I went to one once and felt like I was going thru someones stuff, (which I was, but it felt waaaay different than this one!!!) I think I am hooked! Just don't tell Pete! Ha!

It's Friday, rushing around getting my work done for the weekends, meanwhile constant updates of what is happening in Conneticut. By now you know the scenario, 20 year old man shooting up an elementary school, killing adults and children. Sound bytes from 7 year olds saying, they are happy to be alive. Happy to be alive. When I was 7, my world revolved around barbies, animals, friends and family. The thought of such evil never even came into my world. Trying to concentrate and do my work, while parents and families are receiving the news that their loved ones won't be coming home today, tomorrow or for Christmas. You'd think we start to get use to this. Another random shooting, more innocent victims, more sadness...if anything it seems to be getting harder. Harder to watch the look of confusion, numbness and pain on these people as we stick microphones and cameras in their face and ask them how they feel. Meanwhile a 7 year old boy sums it up with, "happy to be alive." We all should feel the same way today. Happy to be alive.