Marlen's Favorite Holiday

15 years ago

Happy 4th of July to all my forum friends. Those who have been around for a number of years will remember our dear friend, Marlen, who undoubtedly is leading the heavenly choir in singing our National Anthem today--her favorite holiday.

Take a stroll down Memory Lane with Marlen's 2003 post:

A Fourth of July Greeting from Your Resident Cuban

Posted by Marlen (My Page) on Fri, Jul 4, 03 at 1:44

Today we Americans celebrate my favorite holiday. Both DH and I are naturalized American citizens so this day is very special to us. He emigrated here from Germany and I from Cuba. On 11/11/61, when I was the age of 11, the people of this great country opened their arms and hearts and took me in. I didnÂt ask for a handout and never got one, but I was taught that through hard, honest work I, too, could achieve the American Dream. And I learned, and I worked and I have.

I wave Old Glory and hum God Bless America every day. So July 4th is the only day of the year I can actually appear normal.

IÂll be heading later to my familyÂs annual July 4th celebration, wearing a brand new red, white and blue outfit and wearing the lovely pin of the U.S. with which FlamingO gifted me, and which I wear almost every day. Even the dogs will be wearing new patriotic bandannas.

And we will sing the National Anthem and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, in various accents but meaning every word.

And we will pray for those members of our family who are serving our beloved country in the military, and all the brave men and women who serve alongside them. Because we came here seeking freedom, and we know only too well that freedom isnÂt free. Special hugs and a big kiss to rabbitÂs son, Jerm. who is a proud Marine. Semper fi, my dear!

And we will hold a minute of silence to pray for all the heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve that freedom.

And I am going to hug every veteran I run into, especially my own husband. To all the veterans and their families here at the KT, special hugs to you all. Know I will forever be grateful to you and in your debt.

And I am going to overeat, have fun, bask in patriotism and be surrounded by the love of family and friends.

And while I respect the patriotism of all my friends in foreign countries, I know only too well that American citizenship is sought after by many millions all over the world. And I am very lucky to have it and I can't help but be proud of it.

I was granted that privilege on 11/71, almost 10 years to the date of my arrival, and I am very grateful for it. I have tried to live every day since so that nobody ever regrets having bestowed such an honor upon me.

So thank you, my fellow Americans, for letting me in.

I wish you all the best Fourth of July ever!

God Bless America.

And may God also bless you, my dear fellow Americans.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

gadgets
15 years ago
I think we, who were born in the USA and have a tendency to take it for granted, need to have this posted in a prominent place in our homes to read periodically. Every time someone posts one of Marlen's old July 4th posts, I get goosebumps, and a renewed feeling of gratitude for what I have. Marlen was a true blessing to our country.

Shirley
caroline94535
15 years ago
Oh this brought tears to my eyes. I remember, and miss, Marlen so much.

I'll think of her when I watch fireworks tonight.
Related Discussions
Your favorite Christmas/Holiday music?
Q
Comments (25)
sable ca, we love Handel's Messiah too. It's an amazing work of art. I'm so glad you liked Dan's music cyn427 He was such a talented man. His death a little over six years ago was broke my heart. I've been a huge fan since I saw him in concert in '74 when he opened for the Eagles. I went out the next morning and bought both his albums and have followed him every since. Here's a link that should play his last full album that he worked on as he was dying from prostate cancer. His wife and friends worked mixing his work together for over a year after he passed. The last song was his good bye. It ends with the same notes the first song on his first album started with. Home Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6zZihdU0sI To open the above link highlight it, right click and chose open in new tab. Here is a link that might be useful: Dan Fogelberg Love In Time
...See More
favorite BM quote from the holiday
Q
Comments (17)
"What often happens with bad fathers is that they just don't see the kids, or see them very infrequently. Although it is sad, sometimes it could be a blessing. It seems that some bad mothers still want to see the kids (for number of reasons like moms are pressured by society to be involved...). Sometimes I think it would be better if they do not see them and just stay hands off as uninvolved fathers do. I think there is less pressure in our society for fathers to be involved. I always knew number of divorced women whose exhusbands had minimal if any involvement with kids and nobody seemed to be surprised. Normally if dad does not care about child's well-being, he would not bother with visitations(and it could be for the best). Horrible mothers would insist on visitations and then just damage the child." It was a blessing to ME that my two younger kids' fathers were not involved. With my oldest, we had years of court battles, attorneys, bickering over stupid stuff, counseling for my son, etc. It was so horrible, I was thankful my younger kids didn't have to go through what my oldest did. There were definitely behavioral problems with my oldest but not with my younger ones. Today the younger ones are 20 & 21. Both have bad feelings about their fathers not being in their lives or seeing them. Both have tried to reconnect & it's been very difficult... on BOTH sides. It's difficult for the parent that chose to stay away for years, most likely because he feels guilt. My son's father blames me & says it is MY fault he didn't see him. My son knows how supportive I have been of him trying to get his father to be in his life. Heck, he was 16-18 when I finally got the court to order a DNA test that finally proved paternity before his father would have anything to do with him. Still, my son was willing to start fresh but all he got for Christmas this year was a text message saying "hope you have a good Christmas". It's very hard on my son, he admits to me that he has trust issues that are affecting his ability to have relationships. My daughter has also gone through difficulty. Her father, when they talk, can't stop apologizing. She says she doesn't want to hear his apologies, she wants him to start getting to know her so they can move forward. But, a few times he has abruptly stopped contact, which leaves her hurt & she doesn't trust him. From what he's told me, he feels guilty but it's too hard for him to face her after all these years. So, I disagree that it's better if a parent stays hands off or is uninvolved.... unless the parent is a criminal that would endanger the child. Both of my kids' fathers married & had a family with their wives. They chose to raise kids, just not see these ones. That's probably why it strikes a nerve with me that BM went off & had another baby with BF & is not very involved with her DD. It would be easier for US, peaceful for US, better for US... but it devastates the child & creates issues for the child to have to deal with. I don't think it makes too much difference whether it's a father or mother, IMO. However, I would agree that society is less harsh on a man than a woman... but women are supposed to be the nurturers that carried the baby for 9 months, felt him/her kick & gave birth.
...See More
What is your favorite non-holiday tradition?
Q
Comments (5)
when I am home over the summer (I live in England, my family is in Nebraska) my 2 sisters and I go to a citywide garage sale in July and a large neighborhood one in Aug. Both are usually on the hottest days of the year but we enjoy finding bargains for each other and our extended family and crashing somewhere that is air conditioned for lunch then we're off again for more bargains. It has become "our special time" together. We share laughs, old time memories and just being with each other. I always look forward to those weekends. Diane
...See More
Favorite gifts you GAVE this holiday season?
Q
Comments (34)
We did not do much in the way of gifts this year but we did go to my neighbors home for Christmas dinner and we always exchange gifts. She has no family to buy for other than her husband and her dogs so she has started showering us with Christmas gifts because she enjoys it so much. I try to reciprocate. She is an avid gardener and works in my yard all the time. She often gets into poison ivy. I got her the very best quality leather gauntlet gardening gloves I could find in her tiny hand size. She was so thrilled. She said oh my God no more poison ivy on my wrist. I also bought them a Cajun pork Tenderloin wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeños. She cooked it for their new years eve meal last night and said it might be the best thing they have had. That made me happy.
...See More
molly109
15 years ago
I didn't know her at all, but after reading this,
I will remember her always.

Thank you so much for sharing that - especially for
us newbies.
Nita__AZ
15 years ago
I miss Marlen all the time but especially on holidays. She made every holiday special and shared so much with us.
Velleen78
15 years ago
I remember her and have printed out several of her writings. To me she represents the feelings all US citizens should have.
She was a topnotch KTer.
Linda Wayman
15 years ago
I never had the honor of knowing her, but have read several things she wrote. She was an amazing lady and had a way with words. I have laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks at some of her posts. I took one of them to work a few years ago and shared it with a co-worker. He was so touched by it he asked me to please bring everything similar that she wrote so he could take it home to share with his wife. They didn't have a computer back then.

Marlen, I'll bet you are looking down at us right now urging us to say the blessing,say the pledge then have a happy, fun filled fourth. Are there fireworks in heaven?

Linda
msmarion
15 years ago
Thanks for reposting Marlen's message. It sounds like she was a wonderful person. I'm sorry I never knew her. I'm going to print it out to share with DH.
pattico_gw
15 years ago
Is her husband still alive? Does anyone know him or hear from him?

I don't know what made me think of that...just wondering.

I'll bet he's thinking about her today...how can you not think of her. I've told many people how she felt about being an American. We should all feel that way.

patti
petaloid
15 years ago
Thank you for sharing Marlen's heartfelt and colorful postings.

It appears that she was my age (which I consider young!) but I have not been around long enough to know how she passed away -- could you explain what happened to her?
liz
15 years ago
awww thanks for posting this Wanda...she truly was a GREAT American...maybe not born here, but she come here and truly relished and appreciated her new adopted country!
margad
15 years ago
I am wondering also. What happened to her?
maryanntx
15 years ago
I miss Marlen too and always think about her on the 4th. I wish I could have met her in person. I have a folder on my computer that I titled "Inspiration". In that folder I have her posts from the 4th for several years.

Marlen, if you are looking down at us here, I just want to wish you a very Happy July 4th!!!
lilliepad
15 years ago
Maryanne-would you mind posting some of Marlen's favorite holiday posts?I was telling DIL about her and what a delightful person she was and read the one on the other thread about making cookies.She laughed so hard she was crying! I know she would get a kick out of some of the others.
FlamingO in AR
15 years ago
I miss her, too. She was probably THE most patriotic American I could ever hope to "meet", and a fabulous cook. I have several of her recipes that she sent to me, knowing we would like them, especially since Woody grew up in a highly Cuban/American populated area near Tampa.

The KT was truly lucky to have a woman of her caliber on board. And SMART, my gosh, she was smart. Spoke many languages, worked as a translator and did things for the UN, if memory serves. Marlen was a super special lady.
ashli
15 years ago
I didn't know Marlen...(before my time here I guess)...Yes, she certainly had a way with words...would enjoy reading any or all of her old posts.

Marlen's Favorite Holiday

Comments (15)

gadgets

caroline94535

Related Discussions

molly109

Nita__AZ

Velleen78

Linda Wayman

msmarion

pattico_gw

petaloid

liz

margad

maryanntx

lilliepad

FlamingO in AR

ashli

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US