Play Ball: Memorial Day Reflection

Stacy Williams
7 minutes ago
2 min read

Close-up photo from behind a boy sitting in a red stadium seat with a navy blue shirt, ball held in his hand on his shoulder, and a red base ball cap. Boy is caucasian and has short, straight, dirty-blonde hair. — Photo by Yale Cohen on Unsplash

We spent an evening this week watching a t-ball game under cloudless blue skies with just a hint of breeze. Comments like, "Way to hit. No, run the other way. No, the other way! Great catch! Throw to home," resonated in the mild air. The younger siblings ran around the perimeter of the grass field, giggling and rolling down the green swells. Parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents watched their littles practice and apply the rules of the game.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, the unofficial start of summer. Baseball games, camping trips, picnics, campfires, boat rides-all embody the activities and the joy of the three-day weekend.

It's also a time to remember those who gave up everything to ensure we would have the freedom to recreate, celebrate and enjoy our lives. To remember those who went to war to fight for the existence of our country. To remember those who never came home.

Photograph of two rows of identically shaped headstones with small American flags and red rose posted in front of or beside each headstone. the grass is short and green around the rows and their is a blurred blue sky with clouds in the background. — Photo by Richard Sagredo on Unsplash

They'll never again kiss their spouse, listen to their children laugh, love on their grandkids. They'll never eat a hot dog at a baseball game or dance under the stars on a hot summer night. But we can. Make their sacrifice count. Live your life to the best of your ability-every day. Hug your loved ones. Take the scary leap. Catch the fly ball. Eat the ice cream. Remember.

Photo of three hands holding ice cream cones against a blurred chain-link fence and green trees. — Photo by Mark Cruz on UnsplashRemember.

Happy Memorial Day, dear friends. Thank you, to all those who served and didn't come home. And to all those that did.

We remember your sacrifice.

What do you do to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend?

Email me at stacy@wordsbystacy.com or comment on social media.