MEMORIAL DAY - 2016

This morning, coffee mug in hand, sitting on my back porch, looking at the tree two backyards down – I was filled with gratitude.  That tree has beautifully graced my horizon through many years, many changes of season.  This Memorial Day morning it didn’t disappoint.

 May 30th 2016 - Leafy abundance before summer

Reaching up to grey white clouds, huge stagnate puffs minimized any blue sky that might try to peak through.  Still I was grateful, grateful for the peace and beauty of the moment.

Memorial Day is almost over as I write this. 

I’ve been spared the agony of losing a friend, relative, or neighbor who put on the uniform and went off to War to keep this nation 'free'. (I have worried about the safe return of many family and friends who served this grand, though imperfect, country of ours.)

I am grateful for those who made the commitment; mourn those who lost lives and limbs and well-being. Yet, I will never (I hope) let other grief cloud my deeply sad emotions for those who sacrificed to serve; plus the families who live ever after, only 'remembering' their loved one - that 'remembering' having to be enough for them to go on living constructive lives.

There is no perfect world on this earth. We must do the best we can with what we have to overcome challenges, those large and small. May the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces serve to keep us filled with the hope of a better tomorrow and the determination to personally make a positive effort to that end.

The same tree on a beautiful almost fall day.

Don't let our gratitude for their service and sacrifice diminish.   Continue to inform the young ones and truly appreciate your blessings and all blessings possible in the United States Of America....not promised, but possible because of the commitment and sacrifice of those who served.

The tree on a cold but lovely and serene winter day in my neighborhood.

May your heart and soul be blessed with peace and beauty where you live.  

To the servicemen, servicewomen, and families of those who didn't come home, "Thank You".   I leave you with a question.  "But for their sacrifice, what might we be doing today in this country they fought for us to keep?"