Memorial Day

"What are we going to do for Memorial Day?" Chris asked me.
"Well, you are usually working so I have no idea!" I respond.

This year, though, was different. We decided that we would visit a local cemetery. Not being from around here we didn't have any family grave sites to visit but thought it would be a peaceful, holiday appropriate place to go. The weather was nice, warm with a cool breeze. We spread out wandering among the headstones, reading names and marveling at dates.

It wasn't until Noah found and appropriated a flag that my feelings came up to grab me by the throat. Coincidentally, (if you believe in those) I have been reading the book, In An Instant, the story of ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff being injured by an IED in Iraq and his recovery. His co-author and wife, Lee, writes about being in the military hospital and wondering about the other people there; the doctors, nurses, family and military men and women who are dealing with the repercussions and fall out of war. It always seems more real when you can put a name, face and story to the injured and dead. In all honesty, I usually prefer to avoid those stories. I think that I am especially soft-hearted as they cause a physical ache to take root in the center of my chest. It hurts my heart.

And makes me that much more grateful to those who have gone before. To those who have protected my rights and liberties. To those who have made my comfortable existence possible. To those who continue to do so. While meandering around I enjoyed the shade cast by beautiful mature trees and couldn't resist trying to capture the feelings of 'guardian' and 'protector' that I felt.


How grateful I am that just as these trees stand over and protect this resting place we have a Heavenly Father who watches over us. How grateful I am that He has provided for both the living and the dead a Savior and the plan of happiness that will overcome misfortune, trial and death. How grateful I am.