Paying It Forward

I have had many knocks in my life over the past year. I have had even MORE blessings. Without God... family, friends and even strangers we wouldn't have survived. Let me share with you what it is to TRULY survive. A friend of mine that I have known as long as I can remember married another friend of mine from high school.

Lesson # 1 : Don't get married right out of high school, you are both still kids.

He went on to remarry and inherit step kids, much like myself.

I have had my step son far longer than I have any of my natural children (if you can call Zach natural in any sense of the word).



My friend's step son joined the Marines elite recon division. He was sent to Afghanistan .



When I was a kid, the Vietnam war was raging. I never knew anyone personally that lost their life. I had a POW bracelet that I wore and often wonder whatever happened to Lt. Duncan(the name on my bracelet).



Flash forward to this horrible war our brave men and women are fighting.



A family that I grew up with in East Point Christian Church lost their loved one when his Black Hawk helicopter went down. It was one of the most moving and heart wrenching services I ever attended.



Not even two years later a girl I worked with got the news that her brother had been killed in Afghanistan.



Once again the loss hit close to home. I took my younger two kids with me to watch the plane bring his body home to his loved ones. Thousands lined the streets to pay their respects to this young soldier as his procession went from the air field to the church. Another moment I will always remember.



In October my high school friend and his wife got the call every parent of an Armed Service member dreads.



Their son who was due home Christmas day had been hit by an IED. He lost both of his legs and one of his arms.



He is now in Walter Reed undergoing intense physical therapy after many surgeries, infections and phantom pains in his now lost legs.



His mother has been with him constantly. His brothers, relatives and girlfriend as well.



I follow his story through a couple of websites. Face book has a page for him and Caring Bridge has one as well.



His attitude has been absolutely astounding and totally inspiring. I know his mother must be as worn out as most of my dish rags but she is just happy to HAVE her son back.



Granted all of him didn't come back but the parts that matters did...his heart, soul and mind.



What I have been through this past year is a walk in the park with a little bird poop falling on my shoe compared to what this young man has been through.



This week his prosthetic legs came in and he stood for the first time since October. With every one watching he stood up ...no one holding him. He got a huge round of applause from every one in the room...and it was a BIG room.



I sat at my computer in my house with a husband at at a new job, two kids upstairs in their cozy bedrooms with my three pups at my feet. As I watched his video and cried tears of joy for this brave warrior who managed to make it home to his own loved ones I decided my first payment forward should be CPL. Todd Love.



I am writing my congressman and writing to an even higher power, Stephen Colbert.



I am sending Todd's story to John Stewart, Ellen Degeneres, and even Bill O'Rielly (I'm not a fan of his but hope he will become a fan of Todd's). I am writing the White House and sending his story to as many people in as many places of power and persuasion as I can think of.



Todd is from metro Atlanta but there has yet to be ONE story of him on the news channels.



My mission is to get his story out and have it heard.



He has survived but it is going to be a long and costly road to recovery.



It may sound stupid but I thought my blog was a good place to start.

To my amazement I have had over 11,650 hits on my blog.

I will make this my launching pad and make getting Todd's story out my first big "Pay it Forward".

Help me help this young man...how can you NOT ?

He once stood tall and proud as he stood by his parents in these pictures above.

He is still proud and has the greatest attitude I think I have ever seen. He will stand again one day. He will walk again one day.

I will help him THIS day and for many days to come.

This kid will go far. This kid gave two legs and an arm for our country. This kid needs to be recognized for the hero that he is.

To me, he is a kid (I am an old 50 year old bag of wind).

In reality he is a man among men. He is what makes our Nation strong and keeps our lives secure.

Please go to the website www.CaringBridge/toddlove/Welcome or on Facebook go to Prayers for Todd Love.

If that doesn't work you can go to my own Facebook page, Kelly Leach Cotton and pick up his link off my profile page.

I think this is a great way to start out my new year ...helping someone who has helped me without even knowing it.

We type every day on FB and skype and email and text. I blog every night and go to sleep in my own bed.

There are hundreds of thousands not only on the battlefields but in hospitals and re hab... some are homeless and many are in graves.

They are ALL on my mind, in my heart and in my thoughts.

The quote comes to mind "Brother can you spare a dime"?

I can't even spare a dime...but what I CAN do is ask every person that reads my blog or hears about my blog to help this young man.

Just go to his website and look at one of his videos and see the expression on his face.

This is one "Kick Ass" young man.

He has made me realize once again how easy I have it with my petty money problems.

My life is a breeze compared to his... yet he seems more upbeat than I have felt in over a year.

That's messed up and I have had to re check myself more than a couple of times.

So whadda say blog readers?

I say "Todd Todd Todd Todd" !!

I am excited to see what kind of response this blog gets.

I did it with Todd's Mom giving me the go ahead...I hope we don't let her (or Todd) down!

Til next time....COTTON

A Bittersweet Homecoming

It was emotional... and it was an honor to see this soldier being brought home to be laid to rest. As I stood surrounded by veterans, I realized what a bond they all have. They are the strongest and the bravest and they were there to honor "One of their own." The day was overcast. As the plane landed ...God parted the skies and sunlight filled the air strip. When we first left from our house the entire sky was gray but in the distance where the airfield was it was sunny. Like a spot of sun in an otherwise cloudy and gloomy day. Even my 14 year old daughter noticed it. When we arrived at the air field...it was solemn and intense. As this brave soldier was taken off of the plane, the sun broke through and he had God smiling on him with all the brightness he could provide. There were thousands of people lining the streets as his body left the field . He was honored by all of these people that maybe didn't know him personally but felt compelled to come out and show their support . Another fallen soldier...another true hero...another reason why we are the greatest nation in the world...people like Sgt. Shawn McCloskey...giving his life for his country. It was one of the greatest tributes I have ever witnessed. Last year when the Black Hawks were shot down was another. Two men who I both have ties to have given their lives so that we can live in freedom . The gratitude I feel is almost overwhelming and completely deserved

A Visit From Reese

The precious little girl that Massey has watched since she was 9 months old for a dear friend of mine is now three and has come to visit from Texas. She is staying with us tonight while her mom goes out to eat and to a concert with her beau. She is absolutely the most beautiful little lady I have ever encountered and it is always a delight to have her in my home.

Massey had guard practice at the high school so my husband and I took Reese up to watch the practice. She was chatting away in the car about wanting to see the flags being twirled by the girls, but when we reached the school and she heard the drums and saw the tubas...it was the band that blew her away. She was totally mesmerized. The minute they began to play she was holding her little skirt out and twirling around dancing like crazy to the music. The minute they stopped...she stopped and sat down. The minute they started back up she was on her feet again doing her little improvised dance and kicking up her heels (in this case, sandals.)

My husband and I laughed so hard it hurt.

If I had only thought to bring my cam corder! I had my cell phone though and snapped a picture of her in action. I have GOT to start taking my cam corder with me so I can capture life's great moments when they happen.

This child has the most beautiful face, heart and demeanor of any small human I have ever met and it has been a joy just seeing her again and seeing how quickly she is growing up.

On a more somber note...

I just got off the phone with my friend from work who's brother was killed in Afghanistan last week . His body will be flown into a small airport in Peachtree City tomorrow morning. I am going to take both my teens with me and check them into school afterward. This man gave his life for all of us and I feel like my kids need to be there as much as I need to . My friend told me that there was going to be a fly over not only at the funeral but at the cemetery as well. When she told me that I had chill bumps. She said a General was coming to the service and I am so glad that this true hero is being honored in such a fitting way.

It has been a crazy week. It has been an eye opening week. It has been a week that will never be forgotten.

Til next time...COTTON

Day Fourteen and Going Strong...(kinda)

Just got home from work. Today is day fourteen in a twenty one day work week. Hey! Only seven more to go. I actually do better when I work all the time...give me two days off and I don't want to go back...work me every day and I begin to feel like it is the "Norm." All I have to do is wake up and try to remember what time I have to be at work and work the rest of my day around that.

It's been busy around here. Last night was the football game, today it rained all day and Massey and I laid around watching TV in my king size bed and then I went into work. It was Homecoming for two high schools in the area and we were swamped with teens (note to self: take off on Homecoming.) They come in dressed like they are going to the VMA's or the Oscars. When I was in high school we had a football game and then all headed to the auditorium for a dance with the disco ball transforming the 50 year old room into an enchanting evening. The band would be some guys from our own school who dreamed of being the group "Queen" or at least gave it their best shot. Today the kids go out for an expensive meal with their dates clomping around in four inch heels and rent limos.

I got side tracked on Wednesday when I went into work. The manager pulled me aside the minute I walked in the door. One of our co worker's brother had just been killed in Afghanistan ... her mother was home for lunch when the soldiers rang her door bell. My co worker (and dear friend) was in the shower when she heard her mother scream.

What parent of any person serving in the military doesn't think about that knock on the front door ? I just couldn't imagine that and although it happens on a daily basis around the nation, until it hits your own house it doesn't seem real. Then the reality travels as fast as a lightening strike. Calls are made, people are stunned and caught off guard.

My heart breaks for this wonderful girl and her close knit family. I talked to her today for the first time. I sent her an email last night and she called to thank "Me." What does THAT tell you about what a great person she is and what a good family she is a part of?

I just seem to be a better writer than talker and tried to convey to her that her brother is a TRUE HERO and should be remembered for just that. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for not only her family but for ALL of our families and for our country.

I truly think about her constantly throughout my day and realize how grateful I am to have people like her brother who are willing to put their life on the line for ALL OF US.

So we lost the football game last night, my night at work was thwarted by teens with no money to tip, it rained all day and I am tired from working two weeks straight without a day off and my husband has no job.

She has lost a brother...his kids have lost a father and their mother has lost a husband. Her parents have lost a son and it was all to let us live here in America and have our freedom.

It seems ironic to me that this will be the second funeral I will be going to for a fallen soldier of our conflicts in the mid east. When the Black Hawk copters were shot down over a year ago...one of the soldiers on board was the son of a man I grew up with and our family took vacations with. It was the most draining and emotional funeral I have ever attended and left me with a new respect for our military and their families.

It seems I will be going to another one.
It seems that my own financial problems are small.
It seems like I am a lucky person.
It seems like you need to stop and count your blessings.
It seems like you always need to look at the "Bigger" picture to be able to see your own and put it into the proper perspective.

God bless Sgt. Shawn McCloskey and God bless his family. Thank you for giving your life for mine.

PFC "Meathead"

Geez, I hope he is still a Private! If he isn't, he needs to tell me so I can upgrade his rank!... One of my coworkers actually signed up to join our armed forces, with all expectations of being shipped overseas to help in the fight. If ole Bin Laden knew what kind of terror was on the way to find him , he would pick up his skirt and start running like a little girl. We called him "Meathead" at work, and a few other names as well. He is a big "BOOB" of a guy...is that an oxymoron? He is the sweetest guy you will ever meet...he is as huge as a double wide trailer, and barely fit into the extra large shirts that we gave him for work. He always looked like the Incredible HULK, when he was bursting out of his shirt, changing into his green self. When he came home from boot camp, he had slimmed down, and looked TERRIFIC! He is the epitome of a soldier..takes direction well, and is extremely disciplined. I have been writing to him, and my twelve year old daughter has been writing him as well. I totally admire him for his dedication , bravery and commitment to standing up for our country and it's citizens. I worry about him, like I would about any of my own children being sent into harm's way. He is a stand up guy; and with a head as large as his, I have repeatedly told him to keep that big noggin down, and be careful. So another one of my dear friends is going to be shipped overseas... to a country that is TOTAL NUTS, full of people that are angry at us Americans, and just ANGRY in general. I pray for him daily, as I do for all the men and women going over there... they are ALL heroes in my book, and the reason that we get to live such a privileged and generous life. When I think about him, it makes it so much easier to not gripe about a gallon milk being more expensive than a gallon of gas. I admire and salute this man, friend, and hero. All I can do for him is to pray for him, write him religiously, and always have him in my thoughts....I want all of you that read my blog to do the same. This is a wonderful young man that deserves all of our prayers and blessings... he is essentially saving our way of life...and putting his own in the line of fire...literally. KUDOS to you, big guy, and know that I have started a world wide network of people that will think of you and have you in their prayers at night.... You are ALWAYS in mine, and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! It is because of great Americans like you, that Americans like me can sleep at night, and know that we are protected by the BEST... Our loyal and dedicated soldiers... GOD BLESS YOU ALL...and come home soon, and safely! Till next time...COTTON