Tonight for supper Sean, Sarah and I went to Red Robin. As we began to sit down and eat,  we saw  flags lined up. Sarah was the first one to vocalize “Hey, that’s the American flag and it’s in the middle” I reply, “Yes, front and center just like it should be”.  As we continue to eat our meal, Sarah asks “What is the black and white ” flag . Sean takes this one. He says ” That is a POW flag in honor of all the wonderful people who have so bravely protected our country. Then, we notice every flag is showing something so many people are taking for granted now, our troops. The Army, Navy, AirForce, Marines and Coast Guard flags were  all included. I think this is something to take note of. Big praise for showing patriotism in America, especially now. But, wait there’s more. Towards the end of our meal, I see this couple maybe mid 60′s or so, very refined come in. The lady, has a  present gift wrapped in a beautiful royal purple gift bag and the gentlemen asks the hostess if he can hang a handmade sign behind their table. The hostess, being gracious of course says yes. What happens next, begins to make my eyes tear. If you think it is a Happy Birthday sign, Happy  Anniversary  sign or even Happy Retirement sign  you are sadly wrong. This was beautiful and completely unexpected. The sign, and I quote says ” Cathy congratulations on becoming an American Citizen. Welcome to our family we love you”. (With a beautiful drawing of the American flag on it). As all of you know, I am extremely patriotic. Yes, I am the one in my family that when I see a person in uniform I will go up and shake their hand and thank them for giving us freedom. In a society today that overlooks what people do to protect us and for the most part a society that has become all about ourselves and not about others, what a wonderful change to see a  gift of appreciation. So, these thoughts continue to float through my mind as we eat. At the end of our meal, I can contain myself no longer. I go up to the table and introduce myself and tell them how wonderful the sign is. They say how excited they are and that their daughter- in- law  is Philippine and  just became an American citizen and now she can vote. I explain, as my voice cracks  that when I read the sign at our table my eyes teared up. We shook hands and continued on our way. I still don’t know their names but I know that they are my brother and sister not only as Americans but also through Jesus Christ. Without them even realizing it they were a ministry of their own with doing  nothing more than appreciating the ones we so often take for granted.

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