Random Ramblings by Chad

Sometimes the sacrifices are clear and readily recognizable as evident by all those that gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom. But there are countless other sacrifices which go on everyday. There are many families in our school and immediate social circles who are dealing with absent mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and relatives. While my wife was away caring for her family in Montana, I caught a glimpse of what military family life might be like. How the whole family has to re-draw its inner workings while a loved one is away. I gained a lasting respect for those that make that tough situation work and sacrifice to serve our country. Those sacrifices should be recognized as well since those scars can be deep and lasting on the families which cope with absence.

This post was prompted by an email from my Dad with these cartoons in it. I thought they were fitting and should be more widely distributed. As a tribute to those who gave their lives for our country but also as a tribute to him since he did both … a veteran and an amazing father. I know that he and my mother sacrificed and live my life as proof it was not in vane.

Thanks to all you Veterans and their families who sacrificed and continue to do so every day for our country. Please know that your efforts are not lost on the “spoiled generations” to follow. We have respect and thankfulness …

This time to Mamur Urazov of Tajikistan…

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=108541

Another loan via KIVA… this time to Pakistan, to the Suriaya M. Ishaq Group

http://www.kiva.org/lender/chadcloes

our team

http://www.kiva.org/team/san_diego_microfinance_alliance

So Jen can see it from Montana and share with her Dad and Debbie.

PART1

PART2

PART3

Even though we are not there in person, we are there in spirit. We are all thinking of you down here in San Diego and send you our love and prayers.

When my mom went thru battling cancer with her sister Judy, they both came to love this song from Sarah Mclachlan.

Click for MP3 – Angel

Hey Babe… I am uploading the video right now for the play so you can see it.

Not trying to make you home sick or anything…

This is an awesome story about my cousin Jamie… she really is a special girl with a remarkable story. And now a has more college degrees than me… which isn’t hard…

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6245822

CONGRATS JAMIE… I plan on posting this everywhere…

They are coming in concert… maybe I will go…

And another one…

My family and I had a wonderful time up in Pasadena over the weekend. We went up there to support our fellow MET2 member Valerie who has MS. We joined their team (the YAMS) and met some wonderful and lively people. I hope to get some additional photos later to share. We have a few of just our small group. And yes, that is Mitch Mustain from the USC Trojans … He was our quaterback for our flag football game…

http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mustain_mitch00.html

My son asked me what multiple schlerosis was and I summed it up for him by saying “Its when your brain isn’t able to talk to the rest of your body”… hoping that it was A) correct, and B) was couched in terms he would understand. I told him we could look it up on the Internet when we got home.

Mr. Brennan, this link is for you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_schlerosis

The YAMS website:
http://www.youthagainstms.org/

And just so you know (Kaley and Charlotte), my kids were singing “that YAMS milk moo moo moo moo…” all the way home. I will video them singing it and post it later since they have the whole routine down as well.

More pics of the flag football game…

http://picasaweb.google.com/mssocal/MSOrangeBowl?feat=email#