Since 1868 the US has taken time at the end of the month of May to remember and honor the men and women who died while serving our country in the military. It was officially established after the Civil War ended, but of course since the beginning of time people all around the world have gone to graves to honor the dead, both those who fought in wars as well as everyone else they loved who have died. Some cultures even have elaborate after death rituals that were practiced over the centuries, including some that are still practiced today.
So often I think it's important for us to be given very big and very obvious reminders of things we should know or do, like the reminder to thank our those who have fought for our country and their families, especially since we don't all have someone in our family who has fought or at least not someone who is still alive that fought and we may not have the reminder in our lives each day to be thankful. I also love that days like Memorial Day have become opportunities for our communities to come together whether for parades, fireworks, music, to honor the dead, or community remembrance services. It's an important reminder that we're all in this together.
Every holiday is an opportunity for us to reflect on an aspect of our lives, with Memorial Day being the opportunity to reflect on those who have sacrificed their lives for us and for freedoms that we or others would not have otherwise. I do believe it's important for each of us to honor that in at least some way, whether it's to donate to a veteran/military charity like Warrior Canine Connection, Travis Mills or the Gary Sinise Foundation, choose to buy from businesses that support veterans and veteran charities, donate so that flags can be placed on graves of service members, participate in a local event to support a local veteran or their family, or even something as seemingly insignificant as interacting with a post on social media in support of veterans or a veteran organization.
But the more I thought about the holiday this year the more one word about this holiday echoed in my mind and heart: freedom. Yes, first and foremost we should take today as an opportunity to give thanks to and honor members of the military and their families. But then I think we need to remember why they sacrificed and it's because they wanted us to be free and have a life that wouldn't be possible without that sacrifice. And maybe the best way we can honor that sacrifice is to live our lives fully and do something that we're able to do because they sacrificed. So today with thanks in my heart I'm going to be working with a couple of my clients. I know that may not sound like freedom to some but I'm very grateful I haven't had to live my life in fear or be subjected to the violence and struggle that so many people around the world are because they haven't been blessed with the freedoms that we have. I'm thankful to be able to have the choice to work today where I want and with whom I want. I'm thankful to be able to take a walk without worrying about bombs dropping overhead or wondering if this is the day that I'll lose a close family member or friend because of the violence. I'm thankful for the freedom to be able to live my life because of the sacrifices that members of the military and their families have made. However you choose to celebrate Memorial Day do it with thanks in your heart because of the bravery and sacrifices made by the men and women of the military and their families.
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