Memorial Day

     Today is Memorial Day, a time we stop to remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy. It is a day to ponder the significance of their sacrifices and to appreciate the cost of agency. 

     For those of us who were born into a situation where freedoms are abundant, it is easy to take daily occurrences for granted. We speak our minds—expressing beliefs, disappointments, doubts, support, ideas—without threat of imprisonment. We make religious decisions—denominations, way of worshiping, prayers, religious observances, beliefs—without limited or forced options. We pursue career goals—public, private, and home schooling; college education; degree options; job interviews—without being placed on an assigned career track. We move at will—from town to town, state to state, county, city, apartment, mobile home, house—void of mandatory living assignments. We have nearly unlimited choices because of the brave, noble individuals who sacrificed to defend our rights to freedom. 

     This Memorial Day, pay respects to the fallen soldiers, the heroes and protectors of our valuable freedoms. Take some time to ponder what life would be like without the agency we take for granted, and be grateful you can exercise that agency without dire sacrifices yourself.