Memorial Day falls on Monday May 29th this year.  Previously, but now seldom, called Decoration Day, is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. I think it is poignant this year to go a little deeper on this day, but also everyday that is yet to come.  

First responders, who gave up so much even their lives to battling the Coronavirus, do they not deserve the same honor?  All the small business and restaurant owners who tirelessly worked to stay afloat and serve food to those who were trying to avoid the virus all the while exposing themselves time and time again to possible situations of infection and ridicule as well grocery workers who also did the very same.

The teachers for continuing to work hard at educating our children all the while going through their own fears and worrying what book they can use. What they can or cannot say when it comes to teaching them about the real world. Teaching them that evolution is a real thing not what some so called fascist sudo christian law makers will jail them for. The students they teach but now have to report if they receive gender affirming care. The children they have to protect because lawmakers won't pass a automatic rifle ban so now they have to teach them how to hide under desk.  When does the madness these people go through have to stop and those other people can look upon them with respect for all they do.

What about the women who have to now be told they can't do what they have the right to do when it comes to their bodies or the individuals who want to dress and express who they really are. Shouldn't we remember them as well, because after all, they are in the beginnings of another Holocaust that is slowly coming into our lives? 

Last but not least, all the people who lost their lives to the Coronavirus, and are still losing them, whether they believed it was real or not, we should remember that every person is valuable simply because we share this life with them.  

I know it can be hard to sit and remember all of this, and I certainly do, but making time, just a little, to remember that this is a battle, nonetheless. A battle to try and get people all on the same page and remember that no person is any less than anyone else. Jesus taught this, he even went on to say that he was no more important than anyone else, but so often people who use those words do forget them. If we can learn one thing from this time in our lives, this very important time, that we don't have to fall. We can stand on our own two feet and help others to do the same. We can be more thankful, more kind, more appreciative. We can wear our masks, get our shot and do everything possible to keep others safe.  If we do those things, we can truly honor those who are still fighting everyday for us and also for those who lost.  

I would like to believe though they truly didn't lose anything, but gained something even greater. Even if we remember them, they continue to be alive in us, but we also know that they never die, just become something greater. Their deeds become continuous examples of what to and not to do.  

So this Memorial Day, take the time during your barbcue and pool party or whatever way you take the day to yourself for and just be so very very thankful for what we have now because of these people, they are all true heroes.

Have a great May,

Blessings,

Steve