Mr. & Mrs. O'Donnell

Yes, so my sister Audrey and Shaun were married yesterday in a ceremony that somehow did not get major drama from our family.

Audrey and I practically grew up together. We shared the same bedroom most of our lives, we played together, when we got older, we eventually made a DVD library together and then we both moved out shortly after Audrey turned 18.

A few months into living on our own, we decided we could afford to get home internet access, and this is when Audrey met Shaun on DoULike.com. After this, they began to Instant Message, e-mail, interact on MySpace, and make phone calls. This is not to say their relationship went smoothly. But what did happen they were able to work out and forgive each other for.

Eventually, Audrey decided to go visit Shaun in Derby, Kansas, and not too long after returning home, he asked her to move in with him. I was losing my sister, my roommate, and the person who helped pay the bills. If anyone had a right to feel mad at her leaving, it was me. But I didn't. I just decided to step back and let her go.

I was thrilled to hear that Shaun proposed to Audrey on Valentine's Day, and she of course said "Yes." They moved back to Springfield in September, 2008, and started renting their own home shortly after the New Year.

Shaun and Audrey did visit Springfield a couple times before moving back, and I was glad to meet Shaun. He got along with most of my family, except Mom, who has recently decided to accept him as Audrey's husband. (Yes!) In later time, Shaun felt like a brother to me, Genevieve, and Aaron, and Drew, Arthur, and Daniel liked him well enough.

As the wedding drew closer, stress got worse for Audrey and Shaun, particularly in the financial area. However, with some careful saving and shopping, and help from Shaun's family, Aaron and Jessica, and a bit from myself (paying for my own tux rental and helping with Dad's), they managed to get through.

They've been through a lot already and have stuck through it. Let's hope they keep it up. Shaun Christopher Patrick O'Donnell and Audrey Marie Angelique O'Donnell, may you have the happiest life together.

Putting things in perspective

I'm not sure my readers will agree with this 100%, but I decided to re-post it here.

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.
Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villian to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the Amercian people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is there moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over
them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off thier deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen to. We only shed our blood, sweat, and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.

Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;
"So that others may live..."


--
An American Soldier

Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you.
Jesus Christ and The American G.I.
One died for your sins, the other died to give you freedom.