Why I Fix My Flags

Every morning, I wake up and get ready for work, just like a majority of you do. I own a house, a vehicle, have a couple of pets and a spouse. (Their priority, however, is not in that particular order, ha.) Minus the 2.5 kids, you would say I live the "American Dream." You would not be wrong, really. I will say, my life was not always so 'picture perfect,' so do not assume.I have had ups and downs, highs and lows- just like everyone else. I have worked more than one job since I was a young teenager and it was only recently that I was able to 'take a break' for a couple of months. This was just after my latest deployment, last year.You see, in front of my house are two flags. One for the state I live in, Texas, and one for my country, the United States of America. "So what?" you are probably asking right now. Well, you see, every morning, I have to walk by both of those flags. Every morning my shoulder HAS to brush the American flag as I leave for work. And every night when I return home, the same thing happens.Honestly, it's a reminder. Every day, at least twice a day. A reminder of where I am now- home. Of where I have been- deployed. A reminder of my freedoms as an American, of the sacrifices both my husband and I have made, and continue to make. A reminder of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.Every day, at least twice a day, I have to see red, white, and blue brush my shoulder. While some days are a little more rushed than others, I still stop if I see my flags curled around their poles. If they are not hanging 'perfectly' straight, I attempt to straighten them. Every day, almost twice a day, I stop and fix my flags.I am thankful and proud for these rights. I stop, even for just a split second, to look over my flags and make sure they are flying proudly. Even if you do not have a flag on your porch or in your home, I challenge you to stop each day and remember. Remember where you came from, where you are now and the sacrifices made to get you where you are now and will be tomorrow.Even if you are not living the "American Dream" right now, you are probably working for it in some way. So, remember.