“Where were you...?” There have been only two meaningful events in my lifetime where these words have been uttered . One was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (November 22, 1963), in which I lived through, however I was only 5 1/2 years old and the other was the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

“Today is your day, you’re off to great places! You’re off and away! (Dr. Seuss..)

“Army-Brat!” Although my father was in the Air Force, the name given to children of families in the service who “transfer” from base to base is “army brat!” I never understood that as it incorrectly labeled us (I thought anyway).

This beautiful poem was written by contributing author, Patty Johnson. She wrote these words shortly after her youngest son, Jaime, left for college in 2009. Newly empty-nest moms can relate to the feelings projected in Patty’s words.