Flags and Seeds

Dear Friends:

A few days ago a friend of mine gave me a $50 bill. The gift was totally unexpected. I planned spend it if my daughter came to visit. She called a couple of days ago and said she had to postpone her trip. So I tucked the money away.

As I was thinking of how to start this blog I wrestled over what kind of random acts I might do. That's when I remembered the seed my friend had planted. When someone gives us an unexpected seed sometimes the best thing we can do is plant it in good soil or pass it on. With that in mind, I went out and purchased a dozen small paper flags with a portion of that money.

My plan was to attend a 9-11 memorial service and to randomly hand out the flags. The sad part is I missed the only memorial my town held. It was early in the morning at the precise time the first tower fell. I was awake when the tragedy struck eight years ago -- but this year I was sound asleep. At the end of the day I was stuck with 12 flags. One was destined for my scapbook --but what about the others?

I set the flags on the kitchen counter and that's where they stayed until today. This morning I was bouncing around on the Internet searching for random acts ideas. That's when I stumbled on a website called AnySoldier.com.

AnySoldier.com was started a few years ago by Sgt. Brian Horn from LaPlaza, Md. while he was serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The concept was for one soldier to serve as a point of contact for folks at home who want to send letters and gifts. Since its inception, AnySoldier has passed on 89,568 parcels to soldiers in the Middle East.

To get involved, just go to the website and follow the instructions. As of today, there were 2.379 soldiers listed as points of contact. Simply scroll down the list and click on their names. I searched until I found a soldier with the same first name as my 25-year-old son, Sean. I also requested contact information on a soldier named Julie.

Upon your request a complete address will be sent to your email. Then you are free to pass on letters and gifts. Be sure to read the special instructions as there are some restrictions on what can be sent.

I will write more about these choices and the items I send in tomorrows blog. Until then, pray for peace and don't forget the men and women serving our country in the Middle East.

God Bless,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)