God Bless Memorial Day

Every year, my family goes to the Radnor parade to memorialize those who have died in service of our country and to celebrate the veterans in our lives.

This year was different in that my grandfather was far removed from the tractors and the parade. He wasn’t there to lead from the front, and he wasn’t there to walk down the hill during the armed forces medley.

My grandfather is still living, but there are shadows creeping into the spaces he has traditionally so brightly existed.

The big orange tractors still rode through the streets of Radnor. But, for me, the star of the show was nowhere to be found.

The Memorial Day parade in Radnor has always been a core moment for me and my life with my grandfather. He always made us grandkids scrub down the wagon and to shine up the tractors. He always was so proud to see one of us kids take enough interest to drive one of his restored Allis Chalmers.

As I have grown, the thing I came to look for most often had nothing to do with the tractors, but my grandfathers’ response to the memorial service. It seemed to me that, more often than not, at some point in the service a tear would fall slowly down his cheek. Not that he was overcome by emotion, but exposing to those around that his heart and mind felt the weight of the day.

I hope that you were able to take a moment today to remember those who died, so often with the hope in their heart that people they knew and would never know might live a better tomorrow.

I believe one of the reasons they made their sacrifice was so that you could be present and love the people who are in your life still here today.

So, I hope you spent time with family and friends. That you laughed. That you shared a meal with someone you cared about. That you held someone’s hand. That you said “I love you”.

The sun is rising for some and setting for others. In a historical moment where no one feels like they’ve got the time, remember to make the time you do have count. Enjoy it.

God bless the troops, and God bless Memorial Day.

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