At The Front

I am reading a book about Ulysses S. Grant.  His name was actually Hiram Ulysses Grant.  According to the book, somewhere along the line, he started calling himself Sam Ulysses Grant.  The initials Hiram Ulysses Grant spelled HUG, and he didn't like that.  (This may just be something the author made up but I thought it was funny.)  Eventually he moved the Sam to the middle of his name.  However, if you look it up, most sites say the S. doesn't stand for anything.

This book says that his wife, Julie, and his children, followed him all over the United States while he was in battle.  When he was going to be a certain place for any length of time, he sent for them so that he could see them more often.  He always found a nice place for them to stay and she never questioned him when he said he wanted her there. 

Tommy is in a battle too.  He travels all over the country.  I sometimes chafe because, like Julia Grant, I would rather have my husband home.  If there is room for me to stay with him, sometimes he has me join him.  I always go.  I get to see what it is like on the battle front.  Many times Julia could hear the gunfire she was so close to the front line.  

I could stay home and clean house, go for walks, go to church on Sunday and live my life in quiet solitude.  But, when I go to the front lines, I am always challenged.  Sometimes I am uncomfortable.  Sometimes I am frightened, especially if I am out of the country.  But, I am always glad I went.  I come home with ideas and strategies, and hope for what can be and what will be in the future. 

"Sound the Battle cry!                        Refrain:
See, the foe is nigh,                            Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner!
Raise the standard high                    Ready, steady, pass the word along;
For the Lord.                                         Onward, forward, shout aloud hosanna!
Gird your armour on;                           Christ is captain of the mighty throng."
Stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon 
His holy word.

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