I questioned whether or not I was going to write a post about Memorial Day. I thought about posting a nice poem, so I typed in "Memorial Day poems" into Google (I Google everything). After reading 20 different poems and coming across many pictures like this one above, my heart felt very heavy.
It may be hard for you to believe, but even I, a military wife, have taken this day for granted. Memorial Day rolls around and I think to myself....Hooray! Eric gets the day off! What plans can we make, who can we see?, what should I make to eat? Harmless thoughts of course, except that's all I think about.....forgetting the reason behind this special day. I drive down the road and see people opening their pools, grills out for BBQ, people in patriotic clothing. Is it me or does this have the same appearance of the 4th of July? Maybe it looks that way on the outside, but Memorial Day takes on a completely different meaning. It is not a day of celebration like Independence Day, it is a day of respect and honor for all of our military men and women who's lives were sacrificed for our freedoms. This also includes their families who they left behind. Let's not let their deaths be in vain, but be thankful for the freedoms we have that they so bravely fought to protect. We owe our lives to them. Let's not take that for granted, but remember them in honor and respect.
Thank you to all of our service members out there who are living sacrifices. Thank you to all their families who are the support team behind them. Thank you for protecting my freedoms so I can have the life I choose to live. Thank you for fighting for my life, even though I am a stranger to you. Thank you for choosing what you know is right, even knowing that the possible end result is death. I have the utmost respect and admiration and gratitude for you all.
