It's never "Happy Memorial Day."

Today I stopped by the local high school and took a moment to appreciate the hard work the students had put into honoring the military members we have lost in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. As you drive by you see the front lawn of the campus with rows of organized white markers. As I approached the area though I started seeing the individual names, ranks and dates each was killed in action.

It has been so long since I've allowed myself to miss him. I stay busy and distracted. I mention him in passing never lingering long on his name. However, today, walking among these names and markers, I once again felt that choking lump in my throat. I felt the tightness in my chest and the sting of tears as they filled my eyes. Four years, almost, now. In some senses it feels like a lifetime ago and in others it is still painfully raw.

I'm know time has made it easier, even if I'll never understand it. I have no doubt he is still with those of us who loved him so much. I don't wish for the remembering of the loss to be painless. To me that would mean it didn't matter anymore. I do, however, try to honor him and so very many others who died for me, for you, for all of us.

It's never "Happy Memorial Day."  It's just Memorial Day...and I will always remember.