Happy Memorial Day

     Up until today, Memorial Day had seemed like just another holiday to me-- I didn't really know the purpose, where or why it was started, or even what it was all about. Of course, I had guessed the holiday had something to do with remembering loved ones or some such thing, but it never really registered. Up until this year, Memorial Day had just been an excuse to miss school and a trip to my uncle's house for swimming, a picnic, and the celebration of summer birthdays.
     This Memorial Day, however, everything changed. Instead of heading off for a day of relaxation and family time, I stayed in town and participated in a parade with the STH (Small Town High) marching band. Now let me just take a moment to point out the fact that all this weekend, it was cool and rainy here in the Midwest. But today, the day when I had to march in an all black wool uniform, it was 90 degrees and very sunny, and extremely miserable. But the heat is incredibly beside the point.
     After the parade, everyone headed over to the town cemetery where the war memorial is located. The band played the national anthem, and then several veterans were invited to speak. They all said good things about today's holiday, but what struck me the most was the speech a veteran from Vietnam gave. She talked about how Memorial Day was in danger of becoming just another payed holiday or an excuse for a get-together with friends, when really, it had been started so that those who died fighting for America would never be forgotten. The speaker encouraged us all to never forget those who protected us and "stood in the gap between our people and evil".  
     In turn, I want to make sure everyone realizes what this holiday's all about-- not hamburgers on the grill or fireworks in the evening, but the men and women who gave everything they had so that we could enjoy our lives as we live them today. It's the sort of sacrifice that you can't, and shouldn't, forget. And hopefully, we never will.


God bless all soldiers and thanks for listening,
Maggs   

Farewell to April

Approaching Storm

Up from the pavement comes an acrid smell

While moisture rides in ev’ry drop of air

And the approaching, monstrous clouds do tell

About the torrent that will soon be there.

Now all is silent ’ere the coming rain

And absent winds have stilled the waiting land

The grasses in the meadow and the plain

Lie still under the storm’s gigantic hand.

Ev’ry creature lies waiting for the storm

While sunlight fades as clouds block sky away

Then raindrops fall in ev’ry shape and form

And lightning tangles with the trees in play.

Then all at once the rain stops suddenly

And left is a world fresh as sparkling sea.

Copyright MPK 2011, all rights reserved, unauthorized use is prohibited.

Happy May!

Thanks for listening,

Maggs