I spent the weekend driving back and forth to Deer Park and Chewelah for
Jordan's baseball tournament, which resulted in 1) a very tired Megan
who consumed more caffeine than considered healthy and 2) a wide variety
of photographs in the down time that we had (because Jordan would have
to be at the field an hour and a half before game time). So here is the
first of four posts of photographs from this weekend.
Every day of this tournament, which was the Memorial Day Triple A Legion
Tournament, I thought of the reason behind Memorial Day. For years, we
spent Memorial Day opening up our cabin on Priest Lake, welcoming in the
summer season and enjoying a much needed 3 day weekend before the end
of school. Since I am no longer a student, a 3 day weekend is just a
bonus day of family time for me, and we didn't get to spend this year at
the cabin for a multitude of reasons. But this year, I found myself
thinking more and more about the "Memorial" part of Memorial Day. I
drove around Chewelah quite a bit Sunday and Monday, and came across
several cemeteries that were covered with flowers on every tombstone. I
walked around a park and came across a war memorial that stopped me in
my tracks. I am so grateful for the freedom provided to me, and for some
reason, I'm at a point in my life that I can appreciate what others do
for me, even though they might be complete strangers. I have come to
understand exactly what soldiers give up in their lives to protect all
of ours - and I cannot express in words how truly thankful I am for
them. I can never repay them for what they do for all of us, and I can
never give back to them the things that they gave up for me. You hear
heartbreaking stories about soldiers all the time, but I never fully
comprehended what they give up until I knew someone personally.
My mom's
best friend Linda has a son that is currently in Afghanistan, and he
already served a tour in Iraq. I've known Jake since I was in middle
school, and that kid has a huge heart. When his sister Meghan got
married, he didn't get to be there in the flesh. He misses birthdays,
and Mother's/Father's Days, weddings and special occasions, and I know
that he feels forgotten sometimes because it is hard to maintain
relationships with people in the military (even though social media
helps.. it isn't perfect). But I want him to know that I think of him
often. I want him to know that he is in my heart and in my prayers
always, and that I know what he has lost because of his service. I want
him to know that there are always people in his life that will provide a
smile, a hug, a laugh, or a shoulder when he needs one. And I want him
to know that I appreciate his service, and the service of the men and
women around him. I am so glad they are there for him, have his back,
and are there to talk to about the things they are going
through. I am educated, but I will never know what they see - however, I
do know what it is like to see things that are hard, and it isn't easy.
Today's photo concept was shoes, and I could have photographed my Vans,
but I came across something better. So thank you to all of the service
men and women who put their lives on
the line for us. Freedom isn't free, but it is possible because of you
all.
With so much love,
Megan
