Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and a holiday for most of the working class in the United States, “the land of the free”. Coincidentally, it is also the beginning of summer vacation for students and teachers like myself. With no special plans for this national holiday, it has been a very slow day for me. I have a sense that I should be doing something, but I’m not. My school is closed for the week and I’m not teaching this summer anyway, so I have no work pending. I have a garage full of “stuff” that needs cleaning out and throwing away, but it’ll wait. After all it’s been there for 3 years now and a while longer won’t hurt.

This lazy, summer day is filled with sounds of laughing children playing in a neighbor’s pool. The passing cars sound as if they are in no particular hurry. The birds and chirping locusts sing in melodious chorus to the gods of summer afternoons. Those soothing sounds filled with the reality that I really have nothing to do, relaxes every sinew of my body and soul. The occasional soft breeze kisses gently on my skin. What could possibly take away this moment of calm? What ever could happen to disrupt this quiet tick of time?

For now, I would rather not dwell on the answers to those questions. For here there are no sirens screeching, mournful weeping or scenes of distress. For here all is right as I view my tranquil world. My green yard of nature’s tall trees, adorned with leafy shades of green and yellow, decorate this peaceful setting. I sit as a spectator of God’s creative artistry. Feline pets I’ve named Baby and Homer, are my children as they stroll about the perimeters of their enclosure venturing back at times to check on me, their “mother”. They quietly inspect the bushes for lizards or bugs, then dash away quickly to scamper partway up a tree. Then, as casually as before, they return to their patrol in and among the greenery bordering our fortress.

For now I am safe in a place miles from unthinkable atrocities in a place on the other side of my world. On this day, May 29, 2006, innocent people are dying as bombs explode around them. Soldiers made up of U.S. men and women are not experiencing the quiet of a peaceful neighborhood yard. They are living in a war zone, fighting to protect a nation of people, and fighting for their own lives.

For now I am safe in a time years from the horrors of past wars. My husband is here with me and my grown sons are with their wives, not in a foreign land surviving day to day, praying they will once again see home and loved ones. As a wife and mother, I am not staring dumbfounded at a courier sent to deliver a letter of condolence for a loved one killed in action while serving his country.

My life is blessed and my God has protected my family and I from all that we memorialize on this day. I am thankful for my blessings. I am thankful for the men and women that are willing to fight for a noble cause. May God bless and protect our troops that serve today.

On May 29, 1736, Patrick Henry, a brilliant orator and member of the Continental Congresses, was born in Virginia. On March 23, 1775, in St. John's Church, Richmond, he delivered his most famous speech. As war with Great Britain appeared inevitable, Henry proclaimed:
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace —
but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!
The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are
already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear,
or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death!