I honor myself. My path. My story.

I never would have included death as a chapter in my story, but occasionally I am reminded that I am merely just the substitute teacher in life; called in at last minute to keep the peace and relay the daily plans to my students while the Teacher is one who creates the lessons.

I honor those who have left: by choice, by sickness, by accident and by the cycle we call life. I honor that you are in a new chapter of your life not by choice, but by divine plan.

I honor those who have yet to leave, but are left behind. I honor the crying mother, the silent sister, and the brooding brother who quietly curses a world that he has yet to understand the complexity of. I honor their way to grieve whether that be by secretly leaving flowers on one’s grave, avoiding the topic all together as if nothing has or will happen, or by reminiscing in the biggest participation trophy a person can receive, their legacy. I honor that.

I honor those who have yet to feel this pain, and today marks a day of celebration for the mercy life has shown. I honor your happiness and the gratitude that accompanies it.

Today I don’t know your struggle;

Neither your triumphs;

Nor your story.

What I do know is that since 1971 today has been labeled as Memorial Day, a day to remember our fallen soldiers, but with death comes grief. An emotion too big to fit into one day. I honor that every birthday, every first, every amazing sunset and solitary nightfall is a memorial moment and that for some they would rather not recognize a day, for that’s not what they need. I honor that for every birthday, every first, and every amazing sunset and solitary nightfall it is as if time has stopped and Memorial Day is a safe haven for all of those moments where they didn’t allow the sorrow to sink in and sanction to pass. I honor those who don’t and can’t relate to this holiday; to those few and far between who haven’t lost a loved one, and today is just 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 3600 seconds dedicated to our fellow comrades. I honor that they don’t understand the depth of one’s fall we call sacrifice. It’s ok. I use to be like you, but then I was reminded of the power of life and shook by a personal death. Thus, I now understand how this sacrifice is necessary but could never bring value to the pain every family, friend, brother, and sister has staked in their heart. Some might say just one day might not be enough, but in the end I realize that those who personally honor the fallen know that time is the only gift that can’t be taken away. So this Memorial Day use today as a gift. Spend it with your family, grieve the fallen, and celebrate the existing. And honor and love one another while we each celebrate this holiday as it personally relates to us. We only have 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 3600 seconds until it’s just another day.