today i am remembering.  i am thinking of the altering event that was my life while serving America.  i am remembering my best friends - friends that would lay down their life for your own; i am remembering the pride that coursed through my veins every morning seeing my father leave for work in his naval officer uniform; i am remembering the tears that were shed when i lost friends - when my husband lost friends; i remember the unquenchable sense of adventure that only being out on the high seas can create - the whips of wind and sprays of salt water; i am grateful for the path i was blessed to have followed - leading me to the edges of the world, leading me to my husband, leading me to myself.  and above all, i am praying,  praying for my brother who does dangerous things in dangerous places - i pray for him all day everyday and those prayers are laced with gratefulness that he is so alive and happy when he is doing what he does.

thank you.  thank you to those of you who have always supported our military efforts.  thank you to those who have watched their sons, daughters, friends, fathers, mothers depart for destinations unknown and filled their duffles bags with nothing but unconditional love and support.  and thank you to those of you who have ever worn a uniform - you are the blood and tears of America.  thank you.

xoox~jla

the shots above were taken on our first anniversary - i was stationed in england at the time and we drove to the highlands for a holiday - the skies of the scottish highlands are unmatched by anything in the world - anything.

Comments

[julia]

thank you, jen, for writing these words. they are beautiful and honest and couldn't be more important.

[amy]

thank you my dear. i am so grateful for you and your family and for all that serve - thank you for giving us freedom. i am so grateful to all of you. thank you- my thoughts and prayers are with you. xoxo ~a

[Jen]

Thank you for serving. Such a moving tribute jen. xo

[sonrie]

Thank you for serving our country.

My boyfriend has veteran status and is still in the reserves, and I am grateful every day that he is here and not elsewhere; I am so very proud of him.

[Anna Beard]

Well, this was a tear jerker for me. :) We pray for dad, too...I'm sure you know the daily apprehension of having loved ones overseas. This post was so refreshing...especially because there seems to be tension in people with anything regarding military. Bottom line - those that have served and are serving deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. These pictures took my breath away...as a child at the age of five, looking through travel books - England was one of my first obsessions. Someday! Thanks for this post - I dream of such adventures to come soon....it's a warm little piece of longing - remembering. :-) - Anna

[Jan]

Oh, that was so touching. Thanks for that great tribute. I had no idea that you had been in the service. Is that where you met your husband?

[hannah]

thank you jen for all that you have put into this country with your service. i hope today was full of good memories for you.

[meg]

I am so thankful for everyone who serves/has served this country.

These photos are absurdly beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I love how every photo you post makes me want to ask "What camera?! What film?!" but I rarely do, mostly because I know that whatever magic is in these photos is your talent manifest!

[elise]

thank you.

[Liberty Post Editor]

You are incredible. Hug.

[tifanie]

wow. thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Sarah]

thank you, thank you for all your service to our country. we are so incredibly blessed to have people like you looking out for us. my heart is full.

[Jan]

I didn't know that you had been in the service. Thank you Jen.

[sooishi]

wonderful landscapes...

[chantelle]

Your story is beautiful. I thank you as well for servicing your country.
And for showcasing to us your wonderful works of art every week.
You are truly talented.

[Mila]

Wow, this is an unbelievebly beautiful post.

I brought tears to my eyes. Tears of thankfulness.

You are a beautiful person.

Mila.

[Lola M.]

Beautiful images to accompany an even more beautiful sentiment. Thank you for your courage in service, and your courage in sharing this.

[Kasey]

what a wonderful post!!

[Shanon]

Being a military family is an incredible experience. My husband was enlisted in the Army for the first 5 years of our marriage. I wouldn't trade that time for anything, no matter how hard or how scary it was sometimes.
Thank you to you and yours!

[Bεαтя¡z]

Eilean Donan Castle?
BEAUTIFUL!

[dolce chic]

This is such a beautiful post. Thank you for serving our country. Gorgeous photos!