I was not intending to post anything today on the blog but sometimes you get inspired by people with more forethought and wisdom. Robert Streithorst is a photographer friend on Facebook…you can click on his name and visit his page. He does terrific work, but his insight on veterans and on the current virus situation was inspiring to me.
It takes great courage to live in this life…it takes even more to give of oneself to the extent that this precious life is lost, for a country, for freedom, and for other people. Some may be dear family, while most will remain unknown…but the benefits of that sacrifice are equal among the many of us.
Today, on Memorial Day, we remember those military members who gave everything to protect our way of life in the United States of America. Through all the wars…the battles…the conflicts that emerged to threaten the very foundations of what it means to be an American, they stood up, stepped forward, and protected not only those in their own generation, but to all those who have followed. Theirs is an immense, immeasurable contribution…and one that we must always remember and honor through eternity.
You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it. ~ John Adams
There is also a great lesson for everyone living on this day, May 25th, 2020…as we find ourselves immersed in a viral episode that has taken many of our elderly…some are old warriors, the veterans we hold in high esteem. Others are mothers and fathers, grandparents, siblings, or friends…all who are loved dearly by someone. But it seems to me, we have failed them…we have failed to protect them…in this time of great challenge. I’d like to think we did our best, but I’m not entirely sure of that. With the benefit of hindsight, I think we will one day see that we could have done better.
Freedom, paramount to our country as it is, must be preserved and protected of course. One should always guard against any affront to it. But freedom should be maintained in ways that are based in wisdom and compassion for others who share the society…with a mutual respect and caring…particularly for those who are vulnerable or suffering. To do anything less is simply selfishness in the guise of protecting freedom.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be. ~ Thomas Jefferson
I have long looked at this health crisis, as much as anything else, as a challenge for me to do better. Does it, or better said, does our reaction to it, pose a risk to our freedoms? Yes, it most certainly could provide a gateway for those who want to infringe on one’s liberties…but to me that doesn’t include whether I should or shouldn’t wear a mask, practice social distance, or wash my hands. No, the great threats to our individual freedoms could come later in a variety of forms. We must be sure to be on guard and choose the battles wisely.
Today however, I’m pondering the question…is it possible this virus was never just about “us” as individuals? Or our real or perceived hardships, our inconveniences, or the myriad of challenges that come with living in the time of Covid19? Within every challenge lies the seed of opportunity some say. If so, then in a collective way, the experience could teach us all how to become more selfless…and more serving. It could remind us to be more concerned about someone else than ourselves. It allows us to exercise our freedom…our ultimate freedom, to choose our personal response to the challenge before us…to care more, to criticize less, and begin to heal the wounds of a ravaged society.
The thing is though…and we all know this…it will take a great degree of selflessness to do this.
Does that remind you of anyone? It is after all what our bravest have done throughout our history.
Today, we remember their sacrifice.