Amongst our Cyndi Benson Ministries, The Grace and Strength Lifestyle family, we have Veteran men and women, wives, mothers, fathers, and siblings. It's important to never forget those who have served and are still serving for our country. In honor of Veteran's Day, my 14 year old daughter elected to write about her 2012 summer experiences while volunteering in a youth program at a Missouri Veteran's Home for me to share with you. Excited to share her story, she sat down and began to write. I watched as she had moments of laughter as well as moments of tears. So without saying much more, here's Kami's story of her love for what she calls " My awesome Veterans "!

My Awesome Veterans - 2012 Summer Youth Program

This summer, I had the privilege to volunteer my time in a youth program at The Veteran's Home in Missouri where my dad works. At first I was nervous and didn't really know what to expect. This was a new adventure for me. My first day, I met Karrah and from that moment on everything was gravy. Like me, she was another employee's daughter and was nervous too. We became best friends and spent our time getting to know each other and my awesome Veterans who lived in the home.

The one thing I will never forget is their readiness to laugh and smile regarless of having no legs, missing an arm, or the many other ailments they refused to allow limit them from being happy.

We loved hearing each of the Veteran's stories of how things were when they were growing up, their favorite childhood memories, them becoming young adults, all about their families, and the dedication they had to server our country. The one thing I will never forget is their readiness to laugh and smile regarless of having no legs, missing an arm, or the many other ailments they refused to allow limit them from being happy.

I learned how to work a cash register, load a wheel chair bus, and fold masses of laundry. Sandy, one of the laundry workers played music while we had folding wars to see who could fold the most clothes the fastest. Learning to work the copy machine was an epic fail at first. For every few copies to be made we went through a half of a pack of paper trying to get it right. If only we had remembered to select '2 sided copy' BEFORE we pressed start...lol

We got to go with the Veterans on trips to the local stores and out to eat. Playing games like bingo, mini golf and card games were tons of fun. I was taught how to garden and I learned how to play 'pass the trash'. We all laughed so much and had so much fun. I loved each of these moments as well as taking the time to sit and talk with them. They were so excited to see us and that feeling was mutual. I loved sharing these moments with them and I look forward to seeing them again next summer.

I wiped the tears from their cheeks, they dried my eyes. We hugged tightly and refused to say "goodbye"..... I'm glad they were there with me and I with them.

As for our friend Karrah, she passed away a couple weeks after the summer program ended in a tragic accident. Her death, visitation and funeral was yet another life experience we would all painfully share together and learn from. I wiped the tears from their cheeks, they dried my eyes. We hugged tightly and refused to say "goodbye". I never imagined becoming so close to these amazing men and women and I never imagined having to endure such tragedy with them. I'm glad they were there with me and I with them.

These Veterans are those who fought for the freedoms we live with today, and I will always show my respect and appreciation to those who gave so much for people such as us that they didn't even know. This experience greatly impacted my life in ways I can't begin to explain. Some gave their limbs. Some gave their ability to walk. Some gave their ability to hug their child or hold their grandchild. And some gave their lives. I encourage everyone to take the time to get to know their local Veterans and show them you care. A day a week, or even a month isn't too much to give for those who gave so much for our country.

So next summer when we're planting tomatoes, screaming out "bingo", or checking out a menu at lunch, we will laugh and smile again just as we did this past summer. I loved going there and I can't wait to see my awesome Veterans again. And Karrah will always be in our hearts just as our Veterans who have gone before us.

Thank you my awesome Veterans!

Kami

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* Individual results may vary.