A sad breakfast on this Veterans day

[Ozz]

The grocery store we shop at seems very caring, they always cater to their customers, as they should. They give a 5% discount to all Veterans, all the time. I get a “Thank you for your service” quite often when I shop there and check out. We show our V.A. card to get the discount.
They had a free breakfast this morning 7 to 11, I showed up around 9:30 and there was quite a crowd, I was surprised when the cashier also gave me a .25 cent per gallon for fuel discount. I went through the line and got my eggs, sausage and toast, then went to sit down. I noticed a lone man at the end of the table, he looked sad so I sat down and asked him how he was and where did he serve, his eyes brightened and he started telling me about his WWII service on numerous ships, he was a gunnery sailor. After a half hr or so, a man came in and sat across from me and close to him, he had an oxygen tube and had trouble getting in his chair, he was struggling with his sweatshirt, so I helped him with the arms. As he was waiting for his food, I asked him if he had emphysema, as he could barely talk and gasped for air. He said no, he said he had ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He said he went in for a triple heart by-pass, as he was recovering, his Dr. asked how he was feeling, he said he couldn’t breathe well, that is when they found he had ALS, he said he was working a job 2 month’s ago. A railroad worker; Pipefitter. I asked if he had someone at home to care for him, he said yes, his wife, but she was disabled. He mentioned hospice was involved.
I left there feeling sad, but that makes a person feel so lucky to be in relative good health. You work all your life for retirement and just hope you will be healthy to enjoy your retirement years.

[daily double]

We don't realize how lucky we are!!

[jswharton]

Someday is today!

[HOOK]

Every time I go to the VA Hospital , I come away with that feeling. So very thankful that Pat and I are in better health this fall? God is good!

[CORattler]

Good perspective Ozz! A reminder that we should be thankful for the good fortune we enjoy. Someday we may be on that poor soul's side of the street.

[K0LCB]

Life is good, enjoy the moment because we don't know what tomorrow will bring

[jsmitfl]

After being in the EMS field for 30 yrs and my wife working for Hospice, a person really learns to appreciate what they have because life is so fragile. You can be here one day and be all happy and then the next all he** breaks loose and your at your end. Sometimes it's only minutes. God Bless the one's who have to suffer.

[psomers]

A very good friend of mine passed a couple of years ago of Lou Gehrig disease (ALS). A terrible way to go.

[DQDick]

No matter how bad we think we have it, there are always others weathering a worse storm. Great reminder to be thankful for what we have and help others not so lucky.

[Neil.M]

Sometimes I feel like complaining about my situation and something always makes me realize how blessed my life is, my wife's smile, call from a friend, a uplifting song, and even a posting on this forum. Thanks Ozz.

[Ramblin Roadrunners]

I had bypass at 49. I am now 64 and retired army guard. Everyday is a good day to be alive.

[MikenAngie]

Larry, how correct you are. If you want to feel blessed spend an afternoon at a Veterans Hospital/Facility.

[Steve and Susie]

Thanks everyone for your posts. I too am reminded of how fortunate I am every time I visit the VA Hospital. There are so many tons of stories in those walls and not a lot of them are happy ones. I do enjoy sitting and talking with the older Veteran's from time to time, and when I am in a hurry, I find later a feeling of guilt that I didn't stop and take the time. We take so much for granted and its nice to stop and be Thankful for everything we have. God Bless all the Veterans, and God Bless America. Happy Trails,, Steve