I spent a good portion of today working on garage sale stuff at the parish. We are doing our annual ‘Garage O’Rama’ to raise funds for the Young Professionals to attend World Youth Day in Spain 2011. The is a fund raiser beast and once you get started you are literally sucked in, exhausted, filthy with other people’s dust and yet it’s a great way to draw closer together in community.
Regardless of what kept me busy I couldn’t help but think about why everyone else was on a mini vacation – Memorial Day. A few years back Memorial Day was just a holiday that lent to possibly a swim party and BBQ. I didn’t watch any of the telethons or parades and I hate to admit I didn’t think much about the purpose of Memorial Day.
Now it’s different. Now one of my best friends lost a son in the war. Corporal Luke Carney Yepsen. Now not only does she have the anniversary of his death to weigh upon her but she has this day of memory set aside. I know she is proud of Luke… we all are proud of Luke and ALL of our soldiers, but it makes me sad for her and for all the families that lost loved ones fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves.
And then there is another anniversary that will be marked by Memorial Day…though it wasn’t the exact day, the death occurred the same weekend which lends to the memories. Kate DiSorbo. A sweet, young girl who was in my youth group and passed tragically in a car accident two years ago.
Memorial Day is different for me now. Even though I might be caught up in work or play the essence of remembering and the action of honoring stays with me throughout the day.
God Bless the Yepsen and DiSorbo families. And a special prayer to all of our soldiers and their families.
Blessings
Shannon