Monday’s my normal day to post on the blog but Memorial Monday? What do you write on a day like today? I was kinda dreading it. I had no idea what to write. I’ll start by telling you the other title I considered for this post:
This is My Memorial.
Growing up, I saw Memorial Day as a patriotic family day — almost a secondary July 4th. I saw it as a day off work for my dad and a good excuse to get grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins together for some grilling, watermelon and lemonade. It was the kickoff of summer — the first time those who didn’t own a pool could feel that cool water hit their skin on the first cannonball.
Memorial Day had a feeling of freedom ingrained in it. Freedom from work. Freedom from school. Yeah, classes may have been done by then but Memorial Day officially made no-school a frequent summer term.
And, of course, the biggest freedom was the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It’s a memorial to the soldiers who made the ultimate act of love by Jesus’ own definition (John 15:13). Giving up one’s own life has no minor price tag.
America remembers
I get on Facebook today and there are posts all over reminding of the freedoms we get to experience in the United States. I’ve seen many heartfelt posts, many from people who have actually lost a serviceman or servicewoman. One post was a simple share giving some direction for today. It said,
If you want to be a good American, be the kind of person worth dying for.
I actually don’t have anyone in my family who has died serving their country. I don’t understand the magnitude of pain that must be experienced from a tragedy like that. It’s probably why I have never felt I understood the seriousness of today. I understand the freedom but how can I understand the price?
America doesn’t need my reminder of what Memorial Day means. It’s doing pretty well at remembering today. But this is my memorial. It’s my memorial to those who died for my freedom even when I’m not the kind of person worth dying for. It’s my memorial for letting me pursue the dreams I have. It’s my memorial for making me a more patriotic and caring person.
Nothing’s Free
Here’s the relevance to this blog. We all want to become experts at something. Some may want to climb the corporate ladder. Some want the freedom to work for themselves.
Whatever it is, it stems from the freedom to make our lives and careers into whatever we want. But there’s a price to pay. As the well-known saying goes, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
How do you normally celebrate Memorial Day?
I want to hear from you in the comments below! And if you found value in this post, give it a like and give me a follow!
