On Going Memorial

I recently listened to a woman share beautifully of her Father's service in the military. It was the beginning of my day of remembrance, latter on AnneBeth and I went to a cemetery on Bainbridge Island then in the evening we watched on TV the memorial service in Washington DC. What moved my heart this year was the sacrifice the loved ones at home continue to make in sorrow of love. They are the caretakers of those hurting around them when inside I am sure they just want to heal, to value, to honor their lost in quiet holiness. In a world where everyone around you wants you normal and happy the dark shadow of sorrow holds you at bay and it is not just another day it is this moment, this long moment without breath and unimaginable heart ache. Sorrow that is valuing the loss of the loved one. The often heard “gone but not forgotten” is the wallpaper of each day but do others see and value what I have lost? It appears not, except for those who will slow down enough to hold life with you. Only GOD can value the full depth of love, sorrow, it is the holiness of who he is that can hold what goes beyond my mind and heart. There seems to be no control to understand this journey apart from him. Willing myself to be different is futile and reeks with hypocrisy to the loved one, and to the reality of what is being felt and not seen . They say time heals all things, I would say GOD uses time to allow us to be a part of him valuing in full that which means so much to us and in doing so he heals us. Watching that which cannot be seen, feeling that which cannot be expressed yet inside is journeying through a war torn land of sorrow, we have only a nail pierced hand, yet it is enough for he leads with love when there is no light. Tiny things you would of never noticed now have value, these tiny things become the backdrop of new life, like small flowers that appear on a black war torn land after the war is over. The way you look and value love and kindness, the look in peoples eyes as they care deeply for the things that matter. New life reminders like babies and children playing not mindful of anything except the fun in front of their nose. And you see you are deeply richer in life because you did have that person in your life. Memorial day is not only for our soldiers that have paid the ultimate price but also their loved ones that continue Memorial onward.