Remembering D-day

It's impossible to remember anything which happened before our entry into this world.  It can only be appreciated if we take the time to research and imagine ourselves in that moment of time and going forward from there.  D-day is one of those historical events.  I have read about it, seen movies depicting the horror of that epic invasion, and even pretended to be aboard those landing crafts while "playing" army as a child.

However, it wasn't until I walked through the local cemetery on Memorial Day, placing flags on the graves of our veterans, that its impact truly hit me.  I saw a bronze marker with the inscription saying, "died on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944", and I am sure, there are thousands of similar plaques around this country and in the National cemeteries both here and abroad, which tell a similar story.

My father was involved in the Pacific conflict, and whenever we'd talk of his service experience, it would bring him to tears, so we'd quickly change the subject to honor both him and his fallen comrades.  It was something few WWII veterans could or would talk about.  Even as he aged, it never got any easier for him to talk about the horror of war.

He passed away this last year, but not at the hands of the enemy, but at the hand of a different enemy, time.  He was 93.  As he would have said, "he lived a good life".

It's up to all of us to keep the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice alive, because if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the prospects of a good life ourselves.   I pray for peace, and for the fallen who were so brave indeed!

Revolutions of Resolutions

As the new year begins, many of us will vow to make resolutions, and hopefully, some will be fortunate enough to adhere to them.  However, the vast majority of us will make this commitment and within weeks, those once lofty goals will be nothing more than a pipe dream.  I presume that's what may give way to next year's resolutions, and in a manner of speaking, the revolutions of resolutions roll on.  Good luck!

See you on the flip side

As we approach the end of 2013, many of us look back on the most memorable events of the year.  Naturally, leading the list of notables would be the sadness of the  Boston Marathon bombings, followed later on by the improbable World Series victory by the Boston Red Sox, and the deaths of such dignitaries as Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela, to name a few.

However, I am certain there were many, many more significant occurrences that went largely unnoticed, except by those personally affected.  To that I say, we will miss you all, and you will be forever remembered in the silence of our hearts.

Happy New Year and may it be safe, full of good health, and happiness.  Peace and make every day count!

Taking off the layers may just tell you a story

When it comes to the weather, layering seems to be the operative word, especially when the mercury drops most of us begin to layer on the clothing to deal with the plummeting temperatures.  The forecast for the upcoming week certainly looks as though we will be glad to have on the extra clothing.  Interestingly, however, when it comes to wall paper, layering means one of 2 things, do you take off the old before putting on the new, or do you just cover it up?  Sometimes, the added trouble of removing those old layers may just reveal a hidden story worth all the effort, and let me explain.

My parents had the good fortune of living long and fruitful lives, and like so many people of their generation, they lived most their lives at the same address.  They moved into their home some 50+ years ago, and over the years, they papered and painted the walls along with the woodwork many times.  Usually, these activities were associated with some special event prompting my mom to "freshen" up the look, such as a graduation party or wedding.

However, as the years rolled by, the paint chipped and the wall paper looked dated, but they were able to live in their own home, nonetheless.  They made their home a home, with all the love, life and vigor they possessed, until their tired, aged bodies just ran out of gas.

Recently, I began to peel back some of the loose wall paper and underneath I found the memories of an age gone by.  The harvest gold and striped paper that was on my parent's bedroom wall hailed of a previous time, and in several places, there was evidence of yet an earlier time.  It's remarkable how such a simple discovery can trigger so many memories.  I am reminded of the phrase, "if only these walls could talk, what a story they would tell".  As in this case, you just have to peel away the layers, and it'll have you "glued" to the story!

A Christmas Wish

What is so complicated?  Peace on Earth and good will toward all men.  Reflect on that and then let's just do it.  Now wouldn't that be a nice Christmas gift?

It's Tradition

Traditions are special, but what are traditions anyway?  If you read the dictionary definition, you'll find:
a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time or : the stories, beliefs, etc., that have been part of the culture of a group of people for a long time

Likely, most of us are already quite familiar with the concept, especially as we approach the holiday season of Christmas.  However, as one reflects on this idea, a tradition is something that necessarily has to have an origin.  It many respects, a tradition is much like our very own genetic code, except that we have a greater degree of input into which activities or stories we want to continue perpetuating.

One Beautiful Couple

When my parents met years ago, they brought their own traditions into their relationship and instilled them into their children.  Over the years we have continued many of those traditions as a family and have passed them along to our own families.  The most beautiful element of traditions, however, may not be the tradition itself, but the memories they invoke.

Life certainly has its challenges, so we need to take the time to enjoy it once in awhile.  Sharing in a few traditions with family and friends usually gives us the chance to recharge our batteries.  In this holiday season, many of us will engage in something traditional, and that's what helps create and foster those memories.  Let's keep them going, after all, it's tradition!

It's simple, just believe

Life is full of questions, and as we age, we begin to question things more and more.  Certainly, there are facts that can't be disputed, but some issues have no right or wrong answer, just different view points.  However, there are a host of beliefs that are not exactly factual, but there is evidence enough to convince us and the beliefs strong enough that they provide the foundation for our values.

My daughter and I recently attended the Boston Pops Christmas concert, and as part of the performance, they read the Polar Express.  Why not after all, for 'tis the season.  It was a wonderful rendition with the music in the background bringing the book to life.  When it came to the reason to believe in Christmas, what struck me the most was the simple line, "just believe".  How simple, yet how telling, as many of us have allowed the magic of Christmas to fade with time.

It's never too late to recapture that innocence, however, and it's never too late to believe in things that can not be explained.  When my parents passed away this year, I witnessed a beauty in death that I never thought possible, and one I know was directly related to their faith.  Their faith was passed along to them; one they nurtured and deepened by their own convictions.  That was the great gift  they planted in me and cultivated, until it became part of my being.

Christmas is a wonderful holiday, one steeped in tradition, but one that magnifies the innocence of a child.  Indeed, it is simple, have faith and just believe.  Merry Christmas everyone!