Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day

It doesn't seem appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day, when so many are awash with grief. Five years ago my third son went to Iraq...he came back, for which I thank God regularly. Tom and I have a close friend who served in the thick jungles of Vietnam. He witnessed too much, but God has sustained him. My youngest brother died of cancer in the month of May. He wasn't a vet, but I remember him on Memorial Day just the same. He loved life, and in his honor, I will enjoy this day with its parades, visits to cemeteries, and picnics.

Tom and I watched the Memorial Day event held in Washington D.C. on PBS last evening. There were some beautiful presentations, representing so much sadness, too much loss, offering hope and inspiration. The fallen are honored, lest their deaths be in vain. I imagine all of the survivors -- moms and dads, wives and husbands, children, friends -- are comforted, strengthened, buoyed by the outpouring of attention for their lost loved ones.

Tough stuff.

To all Veterans out there and to those whose memories we honor today, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

2 comments:

Ellen Campbell said...

Beautifully said. As we live longer, life becomes more precious doesn't it? I teared up in church yesterday when we sang "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" (so named in our hymnbook) but actually another name in our patriotic lexicon.

Lisa Vella said...

Beautiful post, Betsy. I agree with Ellen. The older we get, and the more life experience we have, the more we understand the sacrifices those vets have made for us. Hope you are having a wonderful day.