Veteran’s Day: From the Mind of a 10-year old

We’re a little off-topic today, being Veteran’s Day, but there will be plenty of days to get back to Clark County’s real estate adventures.

Let’s not have today become the forgotten holiday. Too many people died face down in the mud so we could live our lives in freedom.  Sure, there are days when we may be frustrated with work or our government leaders or other complexities of life; but we live in a country where we have freedoms that billions of others world-wide only long for.  When you think of that, it provides more meaning to the day.  This morning, as our family discussed the reality of what today meant, especially to our kids (besides a mid-week day out of school), my ten year old shared this poem he had written.

V – Victorious soldiers leave the war;

E – Eleventh Day, Hour, and Month;

T – Together, America stands;

E – Even in Iraq;

R – Ready we are, again and again;

A – Another soldier home, hooray, hooray;

N – No more war to come near;

S – So long, war, so long.

It is imperative that we share the stories of the sacrifices of those who have gone before us with those who come after us.  When I think about it, I realize my ability to write this blog, to speak my mind, to even live as I choose, is an indirect result of the sacrifices made by those before me who stood firm in support of our country and our freedoms.

Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.

John F. Kennedy

For myself, and for those who come after me, to all you Veterans, THANK YOU.

76 Days That Went by Faster Than a Usain Bolt Sprint

Clark County Kids are Back to School.

It seems like only 76 days, 10 hours and 34 minutes ago (who’s counting?) that kids were making the mad dash from their classrooms, into the outstretched arms of summer’s calling.

Yet looking at it now, this summer seemed to pass faster than a Usain Bolt sprint to a medal stand.

And while it may have only seemed like all of the approximately 74,000 Clark County school kids spent most of the summer playing in your specific neighborhood, as of today it’s likely a little quieter… as most, if not all, of these kids should be back in school.

I know it should go with out saying, but I’ll say it  anyhow.  With all those kids filling the school crosswalks and milling around the bus stops throughout Vancouver and Clark County, let’s take it a little slower in our mad rush around town.

While they may not admit it, the kids actually like getting to school, and your cautious driving around our school zones and bus stops will help them get there in one piece.

By the way, did you know there’s only 286 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes until summer vacation!  Let the countdown begin.