Jack xxxxxx,

My daughter Katie, my son Keegan, and my husband Kent sacrificed greatly so I could serve our nation in uniform and keep other American families safe. They might have understood the call of duty, but that didn’t make it easy on them or me.

On too many Mother’s Days, I was unable to hold my children because I was deployed overseas to places like Iraq, Kosovo, or Asia, protecting our nation. On those special days, I had to be content with an email, a letter, or a crayon drawn card from my children. At the close of those long days, I'd often whisper a prayer, “Oh God, please keep my children safe while I serve my country.”

Today, I imagine many of us are whispering silent prayers for our mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers. Hoping they stay safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, which is ravaging across our country. Instead of sharing this Mother's Day together with a barbeque or home-cooked meal honoring the woman who we literally owe our lives to, many families are spending the day at home and maybe visiting on Zoom or phone calls.

Some of our parents are spending day after day in isolation, afraid of what awaits them in the COVID world. I think we can agree this situation is very hard for all of us. However, it is important to remember that our elder parents built our country and are responsible for the relative wealth and ease of our modern life. We owe it to them to honor their sacrifices and hard work by keeping them safe.

It seems the Republican leaders in Texas have put our most vulnerable citizens at even more risk by opening up stores and restaurants while the number of cases continues to spike. They have also eased advice on wearing face masks and other elements of social distancing that helped lower the number of cases and deaths. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's heartless comment further emphasized where their loyalties resided when he said it was acceptable for parents and grandparents to sacrifice their own lives for the economy.

It is inconceivable to think we would allow our Texas families to die for the sake of a beauty salon or chain restaurant. Without elected officials putting our safety first, it has fallen on all of our shoulders to fight a war against an invisible enemy, who is thriving due to ignorance and greed. We can all be warriors in this gravest battle of our lifetime and in the life of America.

Instead of a combat helmet designed to thwart a sniper’s bullet, our best protection against the enemy in this war are face masks, soap and water, and to continue social distancing as much as possible. Of course, it’s a sacrifice, but don't we want to hold on to our mothers and fathers a while longer?

Since the beginning of our country, Americans have been going into battle to defend against those who would want to harm us. We have the power to keep our parents safe. We have the power to ensure future Mother’s Days for our neighbors and our own loved ones. We have the power to win this battle with the right leaders.

Stay safe, and have a great Mother’s Day,

Kim Olson