Keeping The Moon

This book is a young adult fiction by Sarah Dessen. It was our book club book for the month and I have to say I wasn't sure about it. I LOVE young adult books (ask Rusty, he's always bugging me to read more "adult" books), so it wasn't that that I was worried about. I'm just not one for realistic fiction.


Anyway, this story is a kind of coming of age story; growing into your own self kind of story. I think I probably would have really liked it when I was 16, but I'm passed that stage now and have no desire to go back. I was talking to my mom about it and saying "I just couldn't relate to Collie (main character). She was always worried about what people thought of her and I was never like that." My mom corrected me and reminded me that I did care what people thought of me when I was a teenager. I then corrected her and said, "Yeah, maybe, but I was never willing to change myself to fit their expectations". I've always kind of had this attitude of "take me as I am, if you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine." Not exactly conducive to adolescence. It definitely didn't work for flirting with the boys.


I remember once when I was about 14 going into my parent's room. I was depressed, feeling like no guys liked me. (Typical feeling for that age group, especially since all my friends seemed to have boyfriends). Anyway, my dad, of all people, asked me if I flirted with the guys. I didn't know what he really meant by that. He asked, "When they talk to you, do you act interested?" And my reply was, "Only if what they're saying is interesting!". He then said, "Well, that's your problem. You have to act interested, even when your not." That just seemed like the stupidest thing to me.


So yeah, I never had what it took to be a good flirt, or to impress other people. Luckily, I think I turned out ok. I found a guy that wasn't really interested in flirting either! I wouldn't really recommend this book unless you're a teenager feeling like no one understands you or you don't understand yourself.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

With the recent election, and today being Veteran's Day, I wanted to say something about how awesome it is to live in this country. I have to be honest and say I was one of those that was just glad that the election was finally over. I was so sick of the debates, ads, signs, campaigning, etc. I hope the leaders of the country will finally get to work and try to fix some of the messes our country is in right now.

That being said, yesterday the Chorus Club at our school did an assembly for the 3-6th graders. (I'm in charge of it). We sang patriotic songs and had a Veteran from the local VFW come and speak. I hope the kids understood why they had today off and appreciated more than just because they didn't go to school.

Because I've been planning that assembly, it got me thinking about the Veterans I know. I really don't know that many. But every year at Veteran's Day, I think about one in particular that has been a great example to me. Brother Lulloff (I just can't bring myself to call him Earl, even though I'm an adult now) is the father of some friends of mine from childhood. They live down the street from my parents. He was shot and paralyzed in Vietnam. Jel and I went and visited him today to say thanks for your service, but also just to see him. He has colon and liver cancer (I think) and isn't expected to live much longer. He looked great, but I'm sure he's on a lot of pain medication. He has always been so positive about his circumstances. When we were kids and he was in a wheelchair, I never heard him or his kids complain about his situation. His wife has taken care of him all these years with nothing but a smile on her face. I was still a child when he had to have his legs amputated. At first it was a little weird, but he never let it phase him. Over the years he's had many health problems and probably should have died on a number of occasions. He has been spared each time and continues to live as an example to all of us.

I just wanted to write and say thanks to all the Veterans who have served our country. I'm proud to have known one who has been such a pillar of strength to those around him. It would be nice if he could live through yet another trial. But if not, I will have been glad to know him and his family.

So next time you get one of those annoying address labels in the mail, think twice about chucking it in the trash. Just a small donation to the Veterans can go a long way, if not only to show your appreciation for what they've done. (We also get the yellow bags to donate to the Vietnam Vets of America every month and I always find something I need to get rid of. I don't even have to take it down to the charity--they pick it up!)