Yesterday was Memorial Day, here in the United States. It is a day that we commemorate the ultimate price paid by our troops. As a veteran, it has special meaning to me. That a person is willing to lay down their life for their country, very honorable in my eyes. Regardless of one’s opinion of the circumstances, a person made that sacrifice.
That being said, this Memorial day had an even bigger impact on my family. On my wife’s family in particular. Her great uncle enlisted in the army at the age of 18. He was sent into conflict almost immediately as the Korean War began in 1950. As fighting broke out , in July of 1950, he was listed as Missing in Action. Long story short , he was never Identified by the army among the recovered fallen. So, he would remain lost to his family… that is until a few months ago. Several years ago, my brother in law would begin a search to find answers. After many years, his remains were finally identified among soldiers buried in Hawaii as unknowns. He was finally brought home and received a proper burial service after 69 years , this past Saturday. The living relatives finally have closure to his story and life.
So, what does this have to do with my ALS journey? Well, nothing directly. But it caused me to take stock on my life. As with most death’s we encounter in our lifetime, it brings to us a sense of self reflection. Especially, when you consider age. This young man died at the age of 19. So much life not lived. So many experiences not had. We can say this about so many who have gone before us.
Now, I am still relatively young . I have no idea how many days I have left on this earth. But I am thankful for the days that I have lived. This is mostly reiteration of things I have already said. We sometimes get so caught up in the struggles of the present that we lose sight of the good life of our past. I know that this may not apply to everyone. The travesties of life are not lost on me. There is a tremendous amount of suffering in this world. I believe, though, that most of us can reminisce of the joys that our lives have provided us.