Gratitude

I know not everyone reading here is from the United States, but for those of you who are, today is our Independence Day. It's a day that gets lumped into a free day off work for some (not in our house, but probably for most) and a mix of family time/cookouts/firework shows for others. 

I will confess that fireworks are among my favorite things, and watching them on the 4th of July is something I look forward to every single year. This year is no exception, but this year is also a year I've been given a fresh reminder of those who made a day like this possible for all the rest of us.

One of the key parts of the program at our church this past weekend was the chance to honor our military veterans and those in active duty as well. Each of the three nights, all willing and able veterans were invited to stand on the stage while we recognized their sacrifice and thanked them for their service.

I sat close enough to look into their eyes, and I wasn't able to do that any one of the three nights without being utterly overcome by the stories in front of me. These men and women (mostly men in front of my section) each carried a story, and I wished I could have stopped the night to learn them all. 

Who had they left back at home to go and serve?

What personal dreams did they put on hold or let go of entirely so they could protect the rest of us?

What do they still remember, some of them dozens of years down the road?

Do they know how much they matter?

All these questions rushed through my mind as I looked from face to face.

Some couldn't even walk to the top of the stairs and probably should have been sitting, but even though ushers offered them chairs, they shook their heads and stood through the song. Some stood with aid, but they stood.

I wasn't able to get my camera out quickly enough this second night, but at one point, they all saluted together, bonded in a way none of the rest of us could know, even though they were mostly strangers to each other.

And these three pictures are just a minute representation of all the men and women from all over the country from all these many years who have made it possible for us to even have a program like this. 

So these are the people I'm thinking about today. Because of them, Ryan can go to work, even if it is a holiday. Because of them, we can celebrate with a date today (hopefully). Because of them, we could have the programs we had this past weekend. 

My heart is grateful today. (And though I don't have a recording of our choir singing it, this is the song they sang while all these brave soldiers stood on the stage.)

I think the only thing to say is thank you.