Memorial Day

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Memorial Day is a weekend I haven't been in the US for in years.  This year is different, not only am I here but COVID-19 has changed the way we look at weekends, life, everything.  So now here I sit after enjoying a beautiful weekend at home and wondering what the next year will bring. 

This year we've altered plans -- camping in the backyard during Memorial Weekend instead of going to campgrounds.  We've had races that have moved to the virtual realm versus doing them in "real life". Our friends are found on Zoom or Google Meets, I'm teaching students via Google Meets instead of talking to them in my classroom.  Everything has changed but there is one thing that hasn't.  We still need to connect on one level or another and that's what we're doing.

Social media is supposed to be the place where we can connect to those around us but it has gone from something that was once positive to a very negative place for many people.  If someone doesn't agree with you, they don't talk to you, they belittle you and post it on the internet. Instead of being able to listen to people's opinion and see the world from their perspective, they move to block you or troll you.  It's become a very negative place.  Not all of it is bad but there is so much negativity going on that I'm not sure how people will come out unscathed in our current environment.

Others talk about how COVID-19 has changed the world but I see people spending more time with people. Trying to get out to the parks and walk, hike, run, bike and work on being together. Our kids have had more time trying to figure out how to be at home and not have their schedules completely planned for them. It's hard, not just for people with kids but for people without too.  For the local businesses that are struggling without customers and for those without a job.  

But on Memorial Day we should look back on those who have served in the wars, those who have given their lives for protecting our freedoms. Our ability to choose to live the life we want to and have the opinions we have.  The people who believe we should be able to voice the thoughts we have without government laws to restrict it.  In the same token, I hope, that on this Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives so we are able to help each other and choose to be part of the good in someone's day instead of the bad.

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