And our weather here in MN feels like summer too. \u00a0It’s rather nice, actually. \u00a0When we left Naples a few days ago the weather was hovering near 90 every day so having it in the 80’s here is perfect. \u00a0But what’s important about the holiday is that we are remembering those who gave their lives in service for our country. \u00a0The first official observance was in Waterloo, Iowa in 1866 but the previous year, formerly enslaved blacks observed it following the Civil War in South Carolina.<\/p>\n
I find it amazing that we can put our differences aside, as is generally the case, \u00a0for a holiday such as this one but we encourage them to rear their ugly heads the other days of the year. \u00a0I have written about the rampant incivility throughout the country in previous blogs and I only mention it again here because I think we simply must put our differences aside, as a nation, if we want to honestly tackle the problems that are facing us as a people. \u00a0Big problems, indeed. \u00a0The oil spill is only the latest of them and pointing fingers at who is to blame isn’t really plugging the hole. \u00a0Discovering who failed to do what should have been done prior to the drilling will no doubt \u00a0be investigated. \u00a0For now, let’s all get behind those who are trying, in their way, to perform a service of another kind for our nation.<\/p>\n
There are many ways to do service. \u00a0Deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan is one way. \u00a0But working to make our schools better is another. \u00a0Getting involved in the political process by evaluating what the candidates are really saying shouldn’t be overlooked either. \u00a0And then something as simple as offering to help some one who is elderly cross a street or open a door or carry groceries to a car are all other service activities of significant importance.<\/p>\n
The real message of Memorial Day is get involved. \u00a0At some level “show up” in the lives of others. \u00a0Let them know you see them, you honor them and you want to lessen whatever pain they may be feeling in this life. \u00a0When any one of us does one tiny thing to help some one else, the good is multiplied the world over. Amazing but true.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
And our weather here in MN feels like summer too. \u00a0It’s rather nice, actually. \u00a0When we left Naples a few days ago the weather was hovering near 90 every day so having it in the 80’s here is perfect. \u00a0But what’s important about the holiday is that we are remembering those who gave their lives […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[47,144],"class_list":["post-404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-karens-musings","tag-civility","tag-memorial-day"],"yoast_head":"\n