Memorial Day

Life has gotten in the way of writing, as it often seems to do. I was deep in the muck of final projects for school when I got word that the friend of a friend had died suddenly (actually, the husband of a friend's sister). Dan was 44 and in good health, leaving behind a wife and four kids. I'd only met him once or twice, but his death shook me up nonetheless. We are just not prepared to say farewell to people that young, especially these days, when life expectancies are so much longer. And the reality of losing someone that young is shocking, no matter how well you knew the person. Anytime I hear of someone dying relatively young, it sends a shiver up my spine, a sharp reminder of how short life can be, a jolt of motivation to truly live it. Dan did just that and I plan to live by his example.

So it was in a strange funk that I completed my first semester back in academia, but relieved to put away my books and notes for a few months. No classes offered this summer in my program and boy, am I sad about that. Something along the lines of "Aw, shucks" was, I believe, my official reaction.

So, apart from a job I enjoy, I now have three months to finally explore all the nooks and crannies of this fabulous city, see friends who'd so patiently waited out my semester, make some new ones, visit some others far away, along with my family in NYC and elsewhere. Ah, summer in the city... how I'd missed you.

Today, however, I want to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day and remind you all the reason why most Americans have a day off. No, it's not strictly for the purpose of beer consumption. While you're out enjoying a picnic (as I was yesterday in beautiful Golden Gate Park) or BBQ or ball game or what-have-you, please take a minute from grilling or lounging or pumping your keg to remember the reason you're there. Take some time out of your day to remember all those who have served their country, those who have served and died and all those who continue to serve today. No matter your opinion on the "war on terror" or any other struggle our government engages us in, our troops deserve every ounce of support we can muster.

This is personal for me and some people I love who are all thinking of our friend Craig, currently serving his third tour in Iraq, away from his wife and daughter for 8-12 months for the THIRD time since 2003. Craig sent this photo Saturday of himself in the midst of a sandstorm. While we enjoy our picnics and BBQs, Craig is sweating through 110-degree days in a dry desert halfway around the world, far from the people he loves. He and all the men and women he's serving with and has served with in the past more than deserve our thoughts and prayers today. Happy Memorial Day.

Posted by ayelet at May 29, 2006 10:02 AM