In 1992, I took Orlando and Bonnie with me to visit my Navy buddies who lived on the East Coast. We visited the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington, DC.
In 1996 PBS put out a request for comments about our experience of the Viet Nam Memorial.
Today, 18 April 2013, I Googled myself and found the following link showing what I sent to PBS.
http://www.pbs.org/pov/regardingwar/stories/the-parents-of-the-young-men-that-we-killed-in-vietnam.php

I am grateful for my awareness of my awareness.

I am grateful for my awareness of my awareness.
 
I am aware that I exist.
 
I am aware that I am alive today.

I have a body that allows me to be aware of my self and my place in my environment.

I am aware that I have opportunities to be a blessing to and with my body.

My awareness gives me the responsibility to be a blessing to and with those in my environment.

I am grateful for the little opportunities

I am grateful for the little opportunities that allow me to express kindness and at the same time reduce physical pain. Yesterday, a woman, who was standing in front of me, backed up and stepped on my foot. Ouch! It hurt. I was wearing sandals.

The woman turned around, surprised by what she had done. I did not give her time to react before I smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. I have another foot.” 

My focus changed to bringing humor to the situation. The pain diminished. I gave her the gift of immediate forgiveness. Since there was no blame, there was no need for defense or retaliation. When she apologized, she did so with a smile. We both walked away feeling the light of humor and divinity within us.

I could have focused on my pain, and lashed out in anger, thereby adding emotional fuel to the pain in my foot. That could have extracted anger from the woman who stepped on me. The pain in my foot would not have diminished. At that point we would both be suffering.

I am grateful for little opportunities that give me practice in being the grandest version of myself.