Humbling Experiences
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The second annual "Cause for the Paws" went off without a hitch. I think it was even better than last year. Adam Hood and Kacey Musgraves played and, of course, Blake and I. We don't have the total count yet, but we might have beat last year's number of $113,000. Near the end of the set people started sending notes to the stage like "I'll pay $1000 to hear 'The More I Drink' and $500 for 'More Like Her'". I got so overwhelmed because people were so giving to something that means the world to me. I started crying because I was thinking about all my animals and how much they are loved and then all the animals that don't have a home. It seems like people are just as passionate as I am about it, and that is priceless. We lost a dog right around Easter. Our dog Hank, the one Blake found at the boat dock last year, disappeared. We think he was killed by a pack of wild dogs that had been roaming the area. Thinking about the year he was with us though, I know he died happy. And if he happens to be alive, and someone took him, please bring him home. Hank, you are loved and missed. Anyway enough sadness, we kicked butt for the Humane Society of East Texas!!! I want to thank.... Aden, Scotty, Newsome, Pone and Jordan for coming and making the show great, Mom and Dad did all the leg work, of course The Villa, Gayle and the H.S.O.E.T. and staff and the volunteers. Everyone did a great job. I will post the numbers ASAP!
Another moving day... Yesterday in Baltimore, Aden, Jordan and I went to visit Walter Read hospital. It's the place where all the wounded warriors come when they get hurt. It serves all military. Two years ago I got to go to Bethesda, which is also a hospital for the wounded, so when this came up, I was all about it. We got to meet and talk with about six soldiers that were wounded while serving. They showed us pictures and told their stories of what happened. Sometimes they ask you before you go in if you are squeamish because some of the injuries are pretty graphic. You can't imagine how humbling it is to hear these guys, who have broken legs or are amputees or have shattered bones, talk. All they can say is how they are mad that they can't be with their buddies fighting for us and how they want to get back. And they all just kept thanking us for coming, and I 'm like "jeez that's the least we can do". Look what these people sacrificed for us and are willing to do it again!!!
It just feels sometimes that we are removed a little from what's going on with he war because all we see is the news, and we live in our happy world out here on the road. But its really hits home when you talk to a 23 year old kid with all of his limbs gone who is just a normal guy that you would have gone to high school with. It takes it from just being on the news straight to your core. I mean I wish I could have stayed all day and, if nothing else, just bring a smile to their faces. Cause they definitely bring a smile to mine. Aden made 'em smile cause he had the Hawk rockin'. The soldiers all commented on Gun Powder. They like its cause its about shootin' people!!!
So I say all that to say: thanks to all who serve and to all the guys and girls at the hospital that allowed us a look into your world. We are all praying for you and hope that we can bring joy and peace through our music.
And......Don't forget, love a shelter pet.
Ran
PS: I wanted to say a huge thank you to all the Ran Fans who worked on the scrapbook they presented to me at the meet and greet at Cause. It reminded me of all the great times we've had in the past few years. It took a lot of work to put that book together and I appreciate all the fans who had a part in it. It is awesome!
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May 23, 2009 5:24 PM
May 23, 2009 5:46 PM
May 23, 2009 5:58 PM
May 23, 2009 6:28 PM
up. A similiar situation happened to me,where my golden & lab wander off my property and I thought the same thing had happened
the wolf packs in the area got'em,needless to say a week later I got a phone call from a local business asking if I was missing two dogs named Red & Jake!!! Needless to say,it turned out to be a happy ending and I broke speed laws to go get them, which was 20 miles from there home.. I'll pray Hank gets returned to you and Blake... That is Awesome that you found the time with your already busy schedule to visit our wounded military people.
I'm sure they really appreciated it!!! See ya on the road!!!
May 23, 2009 6:35 PM
May 23, 2009 7:49 PM
May 23, 2009 9:00 PM
May 23, 2009 10:07 PM
I remember reading how Blake found him and brought him home. Actually, this blog brought tears to me eyes. I'm very passionate about animals, and our soldiers. Bless you visiting the soldiers and your
words. Our country station in Denver, KYGO, every year, on Memorial Weekend, reminds us what Memorial Day is really about, and not about a big furniture or appliance sale. Bless you for your big heart. My daughter and I did just adopt a former
shelter dog, and if we hadn't take him, he would
have had to go back the the shelter. This big guy
brings us alot of love and joy.
May 24, 2009 12:13 AM
May 24, 2009 3:27 AM
May 24, 2009 9:02 AM
May 24, 2009 10:32 AM
May 24, 2009 10:58 AM
May 24, 2009 11:39 AM
May 24, 2009 11:53 AM
May 24, 2009 11:06 PM
Very excited to hear how much $$ came in for Cause!!!!!!!!!! You, Blake, and Adam were freaking awesome!!!!
May 24, 2009 11:42 PM
But i'm glad over the success of cause!! Thats amazing that somebody will give you money to just play a song!!! I LOVE the pictures!! LOVE ya!!!
May 25, 2009 7:27 PM
May 25, 2009 9:31 PM
May 26, 2009 1:00 AM
That is very cool that you visited the injured soldiers.
May 26, 2009 10:31 PM
May 26, 2009 10:32 PM
May 27, 2009 10:09 PM
Well I wish I could have been there and thank you so much for visiting the wounded.....it hits hard when it effects a person, even if you aren't related to a soldier.
May 28, 2009 10:09 AM
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