Brendan started in Pre-Kindergarten at 4 years of age. Before that, he had not shown much interest in flags. Of course, one of the first things he learned was the Pledge of Allegiance. I had not realized that he had started to notice flags in the community until one day when we were coming out of our local grocery store. The sound of the lanyard slapping against the flagpole caught his attention. His eyes followed up the pole, until he saw the Stars and Stripes spread out on the stout breeze.
And there, with his little golden head thrown back so he could see the flag, and his little Power Ranger shorts and T-shirt, his tiny hand rose to rest on his heart, and his clear little voice rang out the Pledge of Allegiance. With authority. As if he not only understood each and every word, but meant them, too. He was, as Paw-Paw would have said, "as serious as a dog sh*ttin' in a cemetery."
Grown men were gathering around and joining in, with their John Deere caps in their calloused hands, and suspicious moisture lurking about their eyes.
Aww, that is just a precious memory! (dabbing eye)
ReplyDeleteIt got me, too!
ReplyDeleteThat comes under the category of; The things that make you feel proud.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have seen that, Ronni.
My eyes would have had a few tears in them, too.
Good day to you!
He was "et up with cute!"
ReplyDeleteVero, that, I believe was your most heart wrenching entry to date. For me anyway. Perhaps it is because Small Pants will be 4 in August, and he too is in total adoration of the aforementioned Power Rangers. He has learned the Pleadge and two wonderful prayers that he says every evening alternatley at dinner and each time I hear them, I get a huge lump in my throat.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story told so very well.
Thank you, Justin.
ReplyDeleteYou weave a pretty good tale yourself!