what does Memorial Day mean to you?
cookouts? barbecue? cocktails?
a day off work? the beginning of the summer?
or does it mean more?
what does Memorial Day mean to me?
remembering.
remembering the eight boys. eight men. who lost their lives the year my husband was in the valley of death.
remembering how many of them left and never came home.
and of the ones that did, how many were changed.
remembering.
the memorial services. hearing taps. amazing grace.
hearing the guns fire,
roll called, and when they called those soldiers names?
silence.
remembering.
digging my fingernails into my palms out of fear and grief.
fear that it could be, would be, me. next.
remembering.
the way my heart broke for my friends, and the ones who i didn't know, but my heart broke for them just the same.
...who lost husbands, daddies, sons, friends, brothers, soul mates.
remembering always.
the way that year changed me and everyone i knew who experienced it.
and how sad i am for everyone who lost someone.
for all the men who made the ultimate sacrifice.
for their bravery, selflessness, willingness to go.
please don't forget this day. don't lessen it and make it into something it's not meant to be.
of course...have fun! grill. spend time with friends.
but please remember the true meaning. please.
b/c if you don't?
then it trivializes what so many families have been through.
s
