4 replies to this topic

[ShamuLovesMe]

Here's a little something I wrote to commemorate Memorial Day..... Hope you all enjoy your weekend holiday.


A Life Imagined
By Michael Strickland

Memorial Day tributes often tell the stories of individual men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during wartime. Heroes are remembered, battles recounted, bravery honored. We should not forget the thousands upon thousands who have died protecting our country since 1776. But simply remembering them is not enough.

Those who fought and died for our country believed in the ideals for which it stands—enough so to sacrifice their own lives. They gave up their dreams, their aspirations, their potential, so that the rest of us could pursue ours. Remembering their sacrifices on Memorial Day is important, but the only way to truly honor their deaths is to seize life, to live up to our fullest possibilities.

Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined.” A good rule to live by. Shuffling through life, standing around the metaphorical time clock waiting for life to happen, is a waste of one’s gifts by any standard. But when put into perspective by thinking about the possibilities that so many heroes gave up so that we could be free to pursue our potential, it seems downright shameful.

How many of those who made the ultimate sacrifice wished, in that split second before their deaths, that Fate had dealt them a different hand? How many would have preferred to return home to pursue their dreams and realize their potential, instead of dying on the battlefield? It’s probably safe to assume “all of them.” But they lost their chance, and in so doing, ensured that we kept ours.

After you pause today to remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, think about your own life. Have you taken your chance? Have you seized life? Are you living the life you have imagined?

[dustbowl diver]

Here's a little something I wrote to commemorate Memorial Day..... Hope you all enjoy your weekend holiday.


A Life Imagined
By Michael Strickland

Memorial Day tributes often tell the stories of individual men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during wartime. Heroes are remembered, battles recounted, bravery honored. We should not forget the thousands upon thousands who have died protecting our country since 1776. But simply remembering them is not enough.

Those who fought and died for our country believed in the ideals for which it stands—enough so to sacrifice their own lives. They gave up their dreams, their aspirations, their potential, so that the rest of us could pursue ours. Remembering their sacrifices on Memorial Day is important, but the only way to truly honor their deaths is to seize life, to live up to our fullest possibilities.

Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined.” A good rule to live by. Shuffling through life, standing around the metaphorical time clock waiting for life to happen, is a waste of one’s gifts by any standard. But when put into perspective by thinking about the possibilities that so many heroes gave up so that we could be free to pursue our potential, it seems downright shameful.

How many of those who made the ultimate sacrifice wished, in that split second before their deaths, that Fate had dealt them a different hand? How many would have preferred to return home to pursue their dreams and realize their potential, instead of dying on the battlefield? It’s probably safe to assume “all of them.” But they lost their chance, and in so doing, ensured that we kept ours.

After you pause today to remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, think about your own life. Have you taken your chance? Have you seized life? Are you living the life you have imagined?

Loosing a loved one is never easy. Carrying on in their absence is in deed daunting. Choosing to live life every day to its fullest, is very simply, a choice!!

Thanks Shamuman for sharing this and for putting things into this perspective.

DBD

[drdiver]

Very well said! Thanks for sharing.

The best Memorial Day would be the day that we woudn't need to have a Memorial Day.
I'm not naive enough to believe that will ever happen, but it's something to hope for.

[Cold_H2O]

Thanks Mike. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that others have given so much to allow us to live our lives. And we all should be celebrating each day we have and thanking those that have made and continue to make it possible.

[steelemagnolia6]

Some gave all....

Mike very touching item you wrote...