Hold On

Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
Even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.

A Pueblo Indian Prayer

Claire's Gift

This Memorial Day when you give tribute to the fallen...and our veterans everywhere- remember a wonderful family, the Schmidt Family of Charlevoix,Michigan,with an angel of a mother, now in Heaven, looking down on us, named Claire. It has taken me a few years since Clarie's death to be able to write this- as the tears which fell were too many...I have missed her so much the pain in my heart remains.

Yet this Memorial Day, I remember her too, as a mother of a veteran, among the many veterans who have sacrificed so much and some how she has given me the strength to write this from up above. Her spirit remains with me as does her unconditional love. I wish so much the world could have met this incredible woman and mother. it is usually those mothers who fade away into memories and are never one for the limelight or attention. She was too classy and too real to want all this attention. Our veterans come from mothers like Claire.

I made some promises to Claire I have just begin to keep before she passed, but I will not falter any longer. Her gift to me - to our country through her son- and her children and family- is priceless.

Maybe you never met them - for Charlevoix- though idyllic and beautiful in Northern Michigan- is not as small as it seems. But I assure you, you would have been blessed if you had met Claire ...and left with a huge smile after meeting her son, Steve.

College summer vacations were often spent in Charlevoix and it has left me with many warm memories.

Claire was a hard working Mom who raised five children and many grandchildren while enjoying the freedoms and life in Charlevoix. She herself- a daughter of the Genias of Charlevoix brought a smile and hope to any child who met Claire. She humbled me as her daughter-in-law and left an impression I carry with me to this day as I raise my little boy. Her love, acceptance of others, spirituality and soft voice are with me every day. She taught me to treasure each day, to forgive, to accept my own weaknesses and never give up on my dreams, my heart, and most of all God.

We kept in touch almost until her death and I am humbly and forever grateful.

There are moments while at the beach at sunrise or a breathtaking sunset ,a soft wind blows against my cheek and I feel as if Claire is right there with me. Her spirit lives on and there are so many mothers like her this Memorial Day who live on as well through their children...or some mothers sadly left behind by their sons or daughters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

The Schmidt Family- an American Indian/German family,never had much,to say the least,in material wealth.....but what they did have was priceless- love and understanding of each other and life without prejudice and judgment of others.

Claire raised some wonderful kids and gave her son Steve the love and determination he needed to live the American dream, receiving a full scholarship at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor- graduating with honors, volunteering with disabled kids and working at University of Michigan Medical Centers to help with school costs. Steven Floyd Schmidt then was accepted to Officer Candidate School in San Antonio,Texas to become a pilot, and later served in the Gulf War for the United States Air Force. Aim high.

During all these times , Claire beamed with quiet pride and supported him without fail including care packages with his favorite munchies to include beef stew and pretzel rods.

Steve was the youngest and carried his mother's qualities of courage and integrity,acceptance of all children as God's children, love of his country, enjoying days to the fullest ( whether it was smelling the freshly cut grass with a good cup of coffee and the newspaper,enjoying a sunset and family barbeque to some good music, or simply going on a long run or bike ride to get some fresh air and time for himself.)

The simpler things in life took on new meaning and life was and is treasured by the children and friends Claire has left behind.

Scrabble was a game one only lost with Claire for she ,like her son, was a ferocious reader. I can still remember her soft and low chuckle when she had a word which would put us all to shame. She would look at me with a twinkle in those beautiful eyes of hers, and quietly place her letters.

Today as I play Scrabble with my son, I wonder if she is there smiling at the traditions that continue in her honor.

Steve could laugh at himself like his mother and bring smiles to others wherever he went. If someone needed help for any reason, he was and is there- just like his mother. One could tell already in college, he would be an incredible parent one day just like his mother. Mothers like Claire have shaped our heroes and veterans today in countless ways and too often are forgotten.

Steve loved his mother more than life itself and for good reason. If you think these American heroes became heroes all on their own- just look at their families and often the mothers who raised them like Claire Schmidt-Genia of Charlevoix,Michigan. Claire knew and understood her son better than anyone. She understood all her children and no child was worth more than the other.

She would often tell me to be patient when there were misunderstandings as her son Steve only had one heart and he did not give it easily away.

She even told me before she died, his heart- like hers was still with me in many ways as best friends share bonds no one can sever. She remembered our love of life and friendship which she reminded me to treasure as much as other relationships in our lives. And she told me to have faith as she knew my heart was always in the right place. This was one of her wisdoms she shared with me when I seemed unsure,close to the time she passed away:

Go Forward With Courage

When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
-- as it surely will.
Then act with courage.

Chief White Eagle (1800's to 1914)

She would remind me that as women we often needed to be the more patient and understanding sex- the stronger spirit when men falter or are needed elsewhere as in for their country or their careers...and not to judge...

We spend so much time in life with regrets, she believed life was too short for this and reunions were always meant for those who truly loved whether in freindship or relationships...for those who truly believed in each other as human beings...Her belief in me as a person with those words helped me through some extremely difficult times and she became almost like my own mother in so many ways.

In her own way, Claire was the Rock of Gibraltar for her family and always believed in new beginnings and forgiveness...Friends quarrel, but real friends- quarrel and even after lifetimes forgive and become even closer in the end...

In my life, I need to believe she is right as we have so much we can learn from Claire even in death. I am letting life surprise me but with the gifts of hope and faith Claire gave me.

Claire was a humble beautiful American Indian woman who would be shocked today to see this tribute and very shy about all this attention.

She almost left this world without my being able to tell her how much she meant to me- but the last month phone calls and this web site will give this remarkable mother and her life here on Earth some small due.

In her quiet mothering, her unusual giving and acceptance of all human beings with their weaknesses and strengths- she lived a life few of us can come close to living...and left only peace and warm memories in our hearts.

Claire never had a negative word for her son Steve and allowed him to fall and get up again all by himself - always keeping him in her prayers and heart but never interfering in his life and decisions. She was and is our angel still and she will never be forgotten - remembered this Memorial Day when we salute all heroes including Steve who is a veteran who succeeded against all odds and living now in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

This Michigan family was and is one that reminds us all to make the most of life for it is fleeting- and as my college and forever best friend in my heart - Steve, would say... "savor." And those moments as I promised then, I have savored , I have never forgotten. I believe in the impossible because of Claire even if it takes a lifetime to reunite with those we love...so be it...

I can wait fir what is real.

In the meantime- make every day one that you can savor and enjoy - so that when you do reunite with those you love if you have been separated by life or death or circumstances...it will not feel like it was a lifetime.

God bless our veterans and their sacrifices - and their incredible families, especially angels like Claire.......this Memorial Day. If you can hear me now- Claire- thank you for being my angel and teaching me what mattered in life and that we are all human.

Alessandra "Sandria" Kellermann

Memorial Day 2007

Gulf Breeze,Florida

May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.

Chief Dan George

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled
with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep
and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation 1768-1813

Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those
that capture your heart.

Old Indian Saying

A A favorite song of ours :

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to my self:
"What a wonderful world!"

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying "How do you do."
They really say: "I love you!"

I hear babies crying I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"
Yes, I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"

Louis Armstrong

September 11, 2001. Never Forget.

To contact us: HomefrontHugsUSA@aol.com

Homefront Hugs USA and its programs does not endorse any political party or candidate. We are here strictly to provide support and comfort to our service members,veterans and their families, regardless of political or religious affiliation. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or politics in accordance with our United States constitution and in honor of our troops and veterans worldwide who come from all walks of life to serve our country with honor, great personal sacrifice and courage.

501-3c Non-Profit Organization Pending 2007 Application

If you would like to help by donating even a small amount this Memorial Day weekend, you can do so through PAYPAL, safely and securely...and help our missions with the wounded and families in need stay afloat...God bless you for your support ! You can also just help by volunteering time and cards and items which are listed on the "Healing Angels" page...