Memorial Day

This picture was taken a couple of years ago but I love it. We happen to live adjacent to Willamette National Cemetery (separated by a large and lovely wooded area that is part of an environmental zone and as such will never be developed - that's why we also live adjacent to deer, coyotes, and all manner of birds and chipmunks and such). Each year for Memorial Day every single gravesite in the entire cemetery is marked with an American flag. It is truly a sight to behold and is extremely moving to me.

This morning, Owen looked out our front window and saw the neighbor's flag and our flag in front of our house. He asked why we had our flags out. We had a wonderful little conversation about this holiday and what it means.

Me: We put out our flag because this is Memorial Day weekend.

Owen: What is Memorial Day?

Me: Memorial Day is when we honor all of the brave men and women who have fought for our country and to defend our freedom. A lot of people have died so that we can enjoy the privileges of freedom.

Owen: That sounds like a sad holiday.

Me: For many people it can be a sad day. But it's also day for us to be very grateful to them for all they did for us.

So, thank you to the many men, women, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who have given so selflessly to ensure that we Americans can enjoy our tremendous freedoms. We are so grateful.