(Originally posted over at the OTHER Mother Goose site: mothergoosesalutes.wordpress.com)
Sometimes Mother Goose just goes out joy riding. When I was a youngster, we’d drive through the countryside, the dirt roads and sometimes the trails through the forests…just to go for a ride. We would look for deer in the fields at twilight, a gravel road with agate potential, a blueberry patch along the side of the road. Sometimes we went looking for “real estate”.
Back in the 60’s in the country parts of northern Minnesota, any random passerby could pull into the driveway of an abandoned house and walk right into the empty house. These “real estate” adventures comprise some of my fondest memories. With our parents and grandparents permission, we could go snooping around other people’s homes and lives — houses full of stuff were highly regarded as treasure to our family!
Imagine fully furnished homes just empty of people and left to the rages of time! I began my stamp collection from the abandoned mail of these homes. We also collected antique “Ball jars”, door knobs, glass medicine bottles, barbed wire and tools. Once we found an abandoned home in a quiet valley complete with a functional piano on the front porch. I launched into my memorized material and entertained my family. For some reason, we never felt like we were trespassing…just checking the “real estate”.
Today I didn’t go into any of the homes I stopped at — just stood outside. I didn’t leave anything but blessings. I didn’t take anything but pictures.
Blue Star Banner in Stickney, IL
A Blue Star Banner, a Marine flag and a U.S. flag flying proudly in front of my friend’s home.
A Blue Star Banner in a watchful Berwyn neighborhood.
Only God knows the deep pride and sorrow of a Gold Star Family.
Mother Goose Smiles 
May 20, 2013 @ 18:25:16
Indeed. God bless them and their families.
May 21, 2013 @ 09:42:51
Dianna, do you see a lot of Blue Star Banners in your neck of the woods? With all of the service members stationed out that way, I was just wondering if the service flag is more common than here in Chicago.
May 21, 2013 @ 12:34:03
Natalie, I’m afraid I’ve NEVER seen one….you would think we would. Perhaps word has not spread in this area about them.
May 21, 2013 @ 05:53:04
You really find a lot of blue stars! I always look in my travels.
I loved those old rides we use to take. Oh wait we still take them up here! 😊
May 21, 2013 @ 09:43:44
Bunn, you don’t still go into the real estate, do you? Just wondering…
May 21, 2013 @ 20:33:52
Does the Gold Star mean God has taken one of ours to be with Him?
May 22, 2013 @ 12:30:06
Yes, Jeff. And there are very beautiful ceremonies and special support groups dedicated to these families. Last September my husband and I were part of a Patriot Riders flagline at Chicago’s Gold Star Mother memorial event. Here’s the story if you or anyone is interested:
https://mothergoosesmiles.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/honoring-gold-star-mothers/
May 22, 2013 @ 17:53:40
I was interviewing a volunteer at the USO in RDU and afterwards, a woman struck up a conversation with me. She said, “I’m a Gold Star Mom…do you know what that means?” My heart dropped. I knew exactly what that meant. Even more heartbreaking, she was there to help another family with a Dignified Transfer. When I left, I had tears in my ears and prayers in my heart for all of them. I think you’re right that only God knows the depths of their pride and sorrow.
May 23, 2013 @ 11:48:43
Gina, bless you for helping out at the USO — that’s such a great place to be! And I know what you mean — so amazing that a Gold Star Mom was there to help a family going through what she had already walked through. And what I am finding is that the people, the moms who have lost the most are the ones who are helping the most. Our nation is so full of good-hearted men and women who are there lifting up and caring for the ones who have lost sons and daughters to the war, to natural disasters and to horrific events like what happened in Boston.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving us a word of encouragement and affirmation.