The Hard Path of Duty

Encouragement is something the trainees at Basic need. The Drill Sergeants, Recruiters and Military families that have done Basic will let you know, the trainees love receiving mail and encouragement.

I am reading a book about Abraham Lincoln, who happens to be Sam's favorite President. I have been able to share many quotes from the book with Sam in my letters to him.

Here is one I thought we all could use .. the daily news, the constant storms in life and in the weather .. sometimes you feel all out of steam. After reading this advice from Abraham Lincoln, I smiled and said to myself, keep on keeping on .. do what you can to make your neighborhood, community and family feel loved. Do not let the WORLD get you down. Keep your eye set on the goal and the dreams you have.

Abraham Lincoln was asked the best advice to give a young person. Lincoln looked to his own life, remembered how hard he had worked as a young frontiersman, and said, "It is much for the young to know that treading the hard path of duty .. will be noticed and will lead to high places."  Lincoln talked much about the "hard path of duty." It meant not only working hard to help others, to support your family, to live a life of integrity, no matter how hard it might be at times. For Lincoln, being ambitious, achieving things, and acquiring material wealth was not enough. The "hard path of duty" meant to be responsible and do what you had to do, not just what you felt like doing. 

 

At times we feel like crawling in that hole and saying "Forget It" .. but we are and can be LIGHT needed for just that moment.

As our Nation prepares for another hurricane, I send prayers and love to all.

We did receive a bulletin from Fort Jackson where Sam is stationed for Basic training. 

The base is preparing for high winds and lots and lots of rain.