Memorial Day gratitude

Memorial Day holiday began as a remembrance of soldiers from the Civil War, and expanded to become a day to remember all those who have died in service to their country. Today I think of my Grandma Betty's brother Albert who died in WWII. This I think of the thousands who have died to protected freedoms that I value, and I think about all the thousands who have died for reasons that make no sense to me. I think about my friends Doug and Bryan, and the BFF's brother Chad, who are currently serving in the US military. I have so much gratitude for all of them, for their sacrifices.

I have so much gratitude that I have such a precious human birth, that I live in a time and a place where I have so much freedom, so much choice. I have so much gratitude that I have the precious opportunity to vote, to speak out against my government, to choose my beliefs, to peaceably assemble, to choose my partners, to serve on a jury. I have so much gratitude that I don't have to constantly worry about my safety and survival, that I have plentiful access to safe drinking water and food and medicine and education.

So I take a day on this Memorial Day to reflect, to appreciate, to not complain. I take a moment away from the BBQs, the sales, the sporting events, and all the other 3-day weekend activities to think about how much I have, and how so much of what I have is a result of sacrifices made by others.