This weekend there are lots of happenings in the United States.
Loved ones are remembering,
citizens are appreciating,
race cars are racing,
graduates are graduating.
Once again,
pain, happiness, love, honor and loss are highlighted
as we observe a day of remembrance for those who died in service
for our freedom.
So in honor of the 150th Memorial Day weekend,
I am re-posting a favorite of yours
that I wrote one year ago.
It's a tribute to all of you out there who aren't afraid to
be vulnerable,
either in the physical form or the emotional realm.
* * *
This past weekend,
on National television,
a little girl sang the national anthem.
It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard -
such big feeling coming out of such a small being.
As the camera panned out and across the the baseball field,
I noticed that a grown man was weeping.
I wish I could tell him what that meant to me.
Me, the one among millions
who saw him remove his cap,
bow his head and close his eyes.
I don't know what his moment was about,
he could have been in pain from loss,
or maybe he was overcome with emotion from the words of our
nation's anthem.
"Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there."
I don't know,
but I do know I was right there with him.
I felt his emotion as I, too, was moved
in this moment.
This goes out to all the men and women
who have the courage to show their feelings in front of others,
in front of their peers, their children, the nation.
To weep is universally understood
and yet so misunderstood as weakness.
We don't know each other, Sir,
but I acknowledge you
and I salute you.
And I'll say a prayer for you tonight,
after I say one for those who
aren't aware they live in the
home of the brave.
~L
(re-post from May 27, 2014)
