Happy New Year

Well, its been a another year. 2012 is almost gone but the memories will last a lifetime.
The memories we created this past year, whether good or bad are what we should use for this next year. Utilize the good memories to create better ones,and  the bad memories to avoid creating more like them. Some memories, and events that took place are unpreventable and will happen whether ot not you want them to.

If you lost a loved one in 2012, do not dwell on the hurt, the pain or the sadness. Rejoice. Your loved one is free. Free of pain and suffering. They ARE in a better place now. It's difficult to understand let alone accept, but we have to see the bigger picture. They are needed elsewhere. Don't think of their passing as a punishment from God. I see losing a loved one as a test from God. He tests us all in mysterious ways, whether it's your strength, or your ability to comfort those who need it most. Do not dwell, rejoice. Your loved one wouldn't want to see you hurting inside.

If you brought a new life into the world in 2012, this is just the beginning. There are many things coming your way in 2013. The many milestones to look forward to. Remember to kiss and love on your bundle of joy every chance that you get. Even if they don't understand, talk to them, tell them how much they mean to you, how they are a blessing to you, and how much you love them.

If you ended a relationship in 2012 (i mean long term not "oh well we dated for a week"), don't let that get you down. There are many many more people out there. I'm not going with the "there's more fish in the sea blah blah". It's BS!The way i see it you are in control of your standards, you cant chose to say "no, he/she isn't good enough" or "I deserve better". Take a stand, hold your ground. I remember what my Uncle Raymond (God rest his soul) and my Uncle JR told me and i'm passing the same advice onto you "Don't ever settle for less than what you feel you deserve".

If you changed your relationship status to "In a Relationship" (Again, talking long term), good for you. Enjoy that person, enjoy the little things, Whether that means an inside joke, a silly face, or even a manor-ism or a certain word they say. Don't rush into the I Love You's. Just take each day as it comes and remember there is a reason you are with this person. "If you press me to say why I love him, I can say no more than Because he was he, and I was I"

If you were alone in 2012 and will be alone in 2013, good for you. Its nothing to be ashamed of, or to feel down about. You are content with yourself and see you don't need anyone to complete you or anyone to take care of you but you. It shows your independence and you ability to be happy by yourself. If you are unhappy alone then be social. It doesn't mean you have to go out and find someone to be with, it just means you might need to get together with friends more often, or go out to social places to meet new people. Maybe you could travel around. Travel your state, your country or other countries, but don't ever feel ashamed or down about being by yourself.

2012 was just another year of ups and downs. Friendships made and friendships lost. To put it in words i'm going to borrow from my god sister Jaime. She Posted:

New years eve, a day to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. A day to remember the good times and the bad, to remember the people who never left your side when things got rough. To remember are promises made and broken. To forgive and forget the people that hurt you. To be thankful that you made it another year. But most importantly to be excited that your getting a fresh start, another chance to get things right. Cause that's what new years is all about getting another chance to do more, to be more, and to love more. 

It's nothing short of the truth. Keep your head up and prepare for the New Year. Don't hold onto past grudges, don't hold onto hatred. Let it all go. In 2013 you will face many more challenges and surprises in your life that holding onto the past will just weigh you down.

I hope everyone, no matter where you are , has an amazing New Years Eve, and an even better New Year. :D

Oh, and on another note, everyone who will be drinking on New Years Eve, Please DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!   ------ >>>

Veterans Smiles

Veterans, the men and women who have served for our country. They have put their lives on the line against foreign and domestic threats to our nation. They spent months and months away from their friends and family. They sacrificed day in and day out for our rights and freedoms.

When the soldiers of our military come home for good whether it they are medically retired or they just served their X amount of years and decide not to go back, they get complete medical coverage compliments of our government. Good Job USA. You got something right. The US government offers many benefits for our soldiers and their families.

Unfortunately they do not give our veterans dental care. Its an amazing sight seeing our veterans smile. Whether its when they are reminiscing on fond memories of the time they served, receiving thanks for their sacrifices, getting a card or letter from kids around the country wishing them a happy holiday or a speedy recovery. Many veterans do not smile because they need dental work and are embarrassed.

Many will doubt what i have written. "There's no way, they have to have dental". Im here to tell you that no they don't. I know for a fact that they don't. My dad is a veteran of US Army, and i can't tell you how many times we have talked about it, how many times it has come up in conversations when we go to the VA hospital or his doctors appointments.

I think its outrageous that they don't have dental. If we can give them full medical i think we can give them dental. Medically they pay for MRI's, CT scans, lab work, prescriptions, Doctors visits, Surgeries etc. Why cant they cover the annual teeth cleaning, fillings, sealants, extraction etc??

Veterans can only receive dental care if they are eligible for a certain level of care.The guidelines according to the Veteran Affairs Health Care Website are as follows:

1. Have a service-connected compensable dental disability or condition.
2. Are a former prisoner of war
3. Have service-connected disabilities rated 100% disabling or are unemployable and paid at the 100% rate due to service connected conditions
4. Apply for dental care within 180 days of discharge or release(under conditions other than dishonorable) from a period of active duty of 90 days or more during the Persian Gulf War era.
5. Have a Service-connected noncompensable dental condition or disability resulting from combat wounds or service trauma.
6. have a dental condition clinically determined by VA to be associated with and aggravating a service-connected medical condition
7. Are actively engaged in a 38 USC Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation program.
8. Are receiving VA care or scheduled for inpatient care and require dental care for a condition complicating a medical condition currently under treatment.
9. Are an enrolled Veteran who may be homeless and receiving care under VHA Directive 2007-039.

Does that even make sense?!?! NO! To me is doesn't. In my mind, if anyone in this country was to be treated like a celebrity and idolized by our friends,family, and children it should be the Soldiers that put their lives on the line everyday so that we can continue to live the way we do. We can own guns, have as many kids as we want, talk to who we want, marry who we want. We can vote, we can go to court, we can wear what we want, and believe what we want. The next time you see a veteran, or a soldier, young or old, disabled or healthy, do you know what you need to do?

I DONT CARE HOW BUSY YOU ARE OR HOW MUCH OF A HURRY YOU ARE. YOU TAKE YOU FREE ASS OVER TO THAT AMERICAN SOLDIER AND YOU SHAKE THEIR HAND AND YOU THANK THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY HAVE DONE FOR THIS COUNTRY THAT YOU CALL HOME. THANK THEM FOR PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS! THANK THEM FOR SERVING THIS COUNTRY!! YOU OWE THEM THAT MUCH!!!



If you would like to help put a smile on a soldiers face then check out:   https://www.facebook.com/opwritehome or http://operationwritehome.org/