Today is officially the start of summer. After all it’s Monday and no buses are running, and the children can be seen running around outside or splashing in the neighborhood pools. As a matter of fact I think I smelled someone grilling bar-b-cue earlier. Today my secular family gets together for an afternoon lunch marathon and later a long afternoon nap. For me it’s more than a day to mark our first summer gathering, it’s also a day of remembrance and gratitude to those U.S. service members who pledged their life’s and honor to America so that we may continue to have days like today. 
       I try to wake up quietly on Memorial Day and clear my mind.  Then I will walk outside, smell the rich air, feel the ground beneath my bare feet, and listen to wind. I know it sounds a little crazy, but I want to be able to appreciate even the smallest things that many of us take for granted. Many of us forget in our day to day lives that we have choices and can make decisions. We forget that in America we have Freedoms, and opportunities that do not exist in other countries around the globe. We have family and friends and choices were we want to live. We have choices to travel freely across the U.S. from state to state and city to city. We have a voice when it comes time for electing our President and Congressional representatives.  
       America’s Service Men and Women have dedicated their lives to ensuring that the choices and freedoms we have are not taken away. They have also stood firmly against unimaginable obstacles to uphold the American belief in life, liberty and happiness. Thank You somehow does not seem enough for America’s heroes, but even a thank you goes a long way. A long moment of silence is a time for us to say Thank You, and say a prayer for those fallen in battle.  
       I was once told by a close friend that our life can be compared to a single breath when compared to eternity. To believe that is true, I have watched events in my life that have occurred in just one breath. We have all witnessed in our life an incident or occurrence that seemed to happen in a moment. It seems only fitting that one thing I can do on this Memorial Day is take at least a single moment to give thanks and my respects.