The Cost of Freedom, The Gift of Memory

I remember when…

We all can recall specific events in our lives that impacted us. I remember my grandmother’s muffins, and I still smell them cooking in her kitchen.

Along with the fond and favorable memories are some of those we would like to forget but need to keep to remind us of valuable life lessons.

Memorial Day is one of those memories for me. A time for me to be grateful for unselfish people whose passion for being a part of something greater than themselves was the most important thing, regardless of the cost.

The other day, coming out of a local restaurant, a gentleman in a wheelchair asked me and a friend to push him up the hill to the bus stop. He had one leg, was drunk, and hungry. Regardless, he was a veteran who served in Vietnam and had his life changed forever.

He did something I never had to do, and I am grateful for that. He helped me remember that what I see sometimes is not what is, and there’s always more than the obvious.

 And yes, he asked for money. With my two legs, I willingly gave him money, thanked him for his sacrifice, and listened to him sing me a song.

I hope you will take this opportunity to remember, say thanks, and never forget the price paid for each of us. So many before us have exemplified selflessness for us.

We cannot pay back what has been done for us, and we can only pay it forward.

Have a great day,

GP