Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  Along with that remembrance comes honoring.  And, not just for those who died in service to our country.  Remembering and honoring our loved ones who have passed, is intricately woven into the fabric of grieving.   

Someone once said “Bless those who have given their lives, so that we might know ourselves in their passing (origin unknown)”.  How true is this statement for you? 

Many times we only truly begin to know ourselves as a result of grieving.  We also know that grief is not linear; we can feel just as much grief for our loss that may be decades old, as one that may have occurred last week. Time may help with blurring the edges a bit, but the grief is many times as deep as the love we felt for our loved one who is gone.  So, honor that grief when it arises knowing that it is the other edge of love. 

So, this Memorial Day, bless not only those who made the greatest sacrifice for our country, but also take a minute to bless all of our loved ones who have died.  You can do that with fond remembrances and honoring the time they were here. 

Sharon Clark